A Marengo man was injured Saturday after his hand was hit by the blades of a snowblower, authorities said.
The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts were dispatched to the 600 block of W. Prairie Street in Marengo at 2:01 p.m. on Saturday for a snowblower-related injury, said Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
Vucha said crews arrived a short time later and located an adult man who had suffered deep lacerations to multiple fingers.
The man was attempting to clear a clog in the machine when the incident happened, Vucha said.
Paramedics provided care and transported him to a Rockford area hospital for further treatment.
The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts encourage residents to stay mindful of snowblower safety as they continue to clear snow from this weekend’s winter storm, Vucha said.
He said heavy, wet snow can clog equipment quickly, and attempting to reach inside a chute can lead to serious injuries even when the machine is powered off.
Residents are reminded to fully shut off equipment, wait for all moving parts to stop, and avoid placing their hands in the chute or anywhere near the front opening where the blades turn.
Taking simple precautions and remembering to use a clearing tool can significantly reduce the risk of injury, Vucha said.