When you've previously been used to using a shovel, investing in a snow blower will make your life much easier. This tool will help you get the job done quickly and without as much physical strain as shoveling—that you'll be back inside your cozy home before long. It's important, however, to take this machine seriously to avoid injuries to you, your family members, and your pets. Beyond the basic rules that are common sense, here are some critical tips to learn before you use the machine for the first time this winter.
Protect Your Ears
You likely already know to avoid aiming the snow you're blowing at people and to keep your hands away from your machine's moving parts, but you might not have thought about the potential damage to your hearing. Snow blowers are loud machines and it's not enough to simply wear a winter cap over your ears. Make sure that you're also wearing hearing protection. The in-ear style is preferable for this job, as you can comfortably wear your knit cap directly over your ears comfortably.
Don't Run the Machine in Your Garage
If you have a ride-on snow blower that you keep in your garage, you'll need to start it in this area. However, the congregation of carbon monoxide fumes means that you shouldn't let the machine idle; you should immediately drive the blower outside the garage. With a push-style snow blower, it's ideal to push the machine out of the garage before you start it. Exhaust fumes can quickly build up in areas such as your garage, even if the door is open, which can make you feel dizzy and sick. Outside, the fumes will blow harmlessly away.
Continually Keep Your Driveway Clear
Once the snow falls, you won't be able to look for obstacles on your driveway—so it's important to do so when the driveway is bare. Pick up rocks, sticks and other items that may have found their way onto your driveway. If you have a family dog, keep an eye out for sticks. You don't want to hit one of these obstacles with your blower when the object is buried in the snow. Not only could it potentially harm your machine, but it could also exit the chute at a high velocity and strike something and cause harm or damage.
To learn more about safely using a snow blower, talk to local garden equipment suppliers like ProCore Power Equipment LLC.
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