(Buffalo, N.Y.) With a heavy snowfall predicted this week in Western New York, Rural/Metro Medical Services is issuing a safety warning for snow blowers.

“Safety should be the foremost thought and concern when operating a snow blower” says Rob Zachrich, General Manager of Rural/Metro Medical Services in WNY. “Our crews respond to several tragedies every year due to snow blower accidents that could almost all be avoided.” Zachrich went on to say.

The most common injury comes from sticking a hand or foot near the auger of these powerful machines. Even a clogged machine that has been turned off still has enough power in it to cause a tremendous injury to the operator.

Some other tips to keep in mind:

· Never use your hand to clear a clogged chute. Use a long stick to clear a clog.
· Never stand in front of a running snow blower.
· Never leave a snow blower unattended while running.
· Have people stand well away from the output of the machine in order to not get hit by   flying objects such as rocks and ice.
· Never operate a snow blower while under the influence of alcohol.

“Unfortunately, our crews will see a number of these accidents this year,” says Zachrich. “The injuries that these machines cause are disturbing although preventable. A little common sense will go a long way in providing personal safety when operating these tools”.

For more information, please call Steve Beauchamp, Public Affairs and Marketing Manager at (716) 882-8400 Ext 323, or (716) 866-6161 (Cell).

Rural/Metro, headquartered in Buffalo, New York, has satellite offices and ambulance bases in Amherst, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and Niagara Falls as well as several others locations throughout Erie, Niagara and Orleans Counties. Their 550+ Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians and support personnel are responsible for servicing 22 hospitals and over 100 nursing homes and health care facilities as well as the one million residents that reside in Western New York.