Seriously, I hope you recover quickly and with full mobility.
Posted on 12/20/2009 12:39:13 PM PST by big truck
Word to the wise: do NOT stick your hand down the shute of a snowblower to clear an ice jam if the auger is still spinning. I let go of the hand control and thought the auger has stopped. Three broken fingers and two to-the-bone lacerations on my middle finger on my right hand have taught me this lesson today. The ER nurses and docs were very impressed. No work, no driving, great pain meds, lots of antibiotics, and seeing a hand surgeon tomorrow. Dumb, dumb, dumb...
Oh I freely admit I screwed up. This is nobody’s fault but my own. It could have been much worse - I thank the Lord I still have my fingers and hand.
Same thing goes for one of those hand mixers that fit into a glass or pan on the stove. I was rinsing it so I could use it again but something was stuck down where the blade is. I put my finger behind the blade to rub off the stuck stuff and pressed the button at the same time. Cut almost clean to the bone. Unplug it before you clean it.
Ouch. That is why my family calls they snow blower/nail trimmer combinations. On our local news they were talking about the storm and in the background somebody did almost the same thing when they were live on the air.
Did you finish clearing the snow from your driveway and/or sidewalk? Just kidding. Hope you’re recovery is a quick one.
I see. OUCH!
Don’t feel bad about how it happened. Even perfect people like me make thoughtless mistakes. Two weeks ago I dutifully swallowed my vitamins and then looked down for my earrings to put on and the only things on the counter were the vitamins...
As far as I know, everything came out okay.
I shoveled my (steep) driveway. I'm not supposed to do that- big cardiac issues. It just flat-out wasn't going to get done though, unless I did it. Took my time, frequent long rest and self-monitoring breaks, and I did a good job of it. There'll be ice there though for weeks to come, so I'm going to go get a flame thrower.
“If you can hear the engine, don’t reach in. Period.”
Great advice. I’ll try to remember this story when mowing the lawn next year. I leave the engine on idle with the blade stopped to change the bag, and reach in to clear out big clumps. It’s pretty obvious with the extreme change in noise level that the blades aren’t spinning - but you never know what safeguard might fail.
You made laugh so hard my daughter had to come downstairs and see what the heck was wrong with the old man!
LOL
Great big OWWW and just damn!
I hope the earrings weren’t diamond or heirloom gifts.
My family laughed pretty hard too! I just hope cubic zirconium has some healthful properties. Truth be told, I’ve never felt better!
Yikes!!!!!!
Happily, no. Just little cheap things.
Mind yøu, snøwbløwer bites can be prettii nastii.
I had the same situation this morning, and very nearly reached in to clear the snow as well. Even though I had disengaged the safety bar I opted for a gardening shovel instead of sticking my hand in there.
Dear big truck,
Props to your for swallowing your pride and warning the rest of us. Lots of snow here - I’m sure lots of us are using our blowers today and this will us think twice.
Anyone can make a mistake. mr. a is one of the most intelligent men in the universe but even he is not allowed near my power toys since The Chainsaw Incident...
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