Basics of Snow Blower Safety and Maintenance

by Murray Anderson

In a way, snow blowers are the winter equivalent of power mowers in that they’re like double-edged swords. Both machines can make your life much easier since you no longer need to cut the lawn or shovel a driveway’s worth of snow by hand. However, since both machines utilize fast moving mechanical parts to work their magic, they can be quite dangerous, have the potential to cause serious injury and do need periodic maintenance.

As proof of how dangerous a snow blower can be, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in a recent year there were almost 600 finger amputations involving snow blowers and each year on average there are almost 6000 hospital emergency room related injuries associated with snow blowers. So you can see snow blowers should be treated with respect and caution.

Here’s some tips on how you can enjoy the benefits of your snow blower without ending up being one of those statistics.

Tips for operating your snow blower safely

Always wear warm clothes that allow you ease of movement and don’t restrict your vision. Hoods pulled tight around your face to protect you from blowing snow will block off your peripheral vision. Also, be sure you wear warm shoes that provide good traction.
When filling your snow blower’s gas tank always add fuel to the tank outdoors, not in the garage or in an enclose space. Never add gasoline to the tank when the machine is running or even when the engine is hot. A spill of gas onto the hot engine could easily cause a fire.
Store your gas can outside, away from your house and always keep it sealed/capped.
Never leave your snow blower running in an enclosed space (like your garage, after your start it up). Carbon monoxide in the exhaust is odorless and can kill.
Keep your hands and feet away from any moving parts all the time. Never try to unclog a blocked snow blower while it’s running. Stop the engine and use a long stick or broom handle to break up the blockage. It’s particularly important to remember to never use your hands to unclog a snow blower. Spraying WD-40 or even PAM cooking spray on the discharge chute, auger and impeller before you start blowing snow will help prevent clogs, even with wet snow.
Don’t point the discharge chute at a bystander or nearby object. A solid object picked up and thrown out the chute can cause a serious injury or property damage.

Maintaining your snow blower

Snow blowers don’t require a lot of upkeep, but some periodic maintenance particularly in the spring will ensure it works well for you for a number of years.

Drain the gas from the tank or add stabilizer to the gas tank so the gasoline won’t solidify and your engine will start easily next fall.
Drain the old engine oil and add fresh oil for next year.
Check for loose and frayed drive belts and replace any that are stretched or worn.
Check the tires for wear and inflate them to the proper pressure.
Lubricate the drive mechanism as well as the auger and impeller movements.
In the fall installing a new sparkplug (at last every second year) will ensure your engine runs smoothly.

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Murray Anderson is an experienced freelance writer over 500 articles published on the web as well as in print magazines and newspapers in both the United States and Canada. He writes on a wide range of topics and is a regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. He can be contacted at murand@lycos.com.