For all you Marylanders still trying to find your driveway after the weekend's record-breaking blizzard, be safe -- especially if you've got a fancy new snow blower.

The Curtis National Hand Center at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore saw 10 patients over the weekend with traumatic hand injuries from snow blower accidents.

Some of the center's most challenging hand reconstruction surgeries come from snow blower injuries, said Debra Schindler, a Union Memorial spokeswoman.

Schindler passes on these tips to keep in mind while you're digging out:

• Stop the engine and use a long stick to unclog wet snow and debris from the machine. Never use your hands to unclog a snow thrower.

• Always keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.

• Never leave the machine running in an enclosed area.

• Add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine; don’t add gasoline to a running or hot engine. Always keep the gasoline can capped, and store gasoline out of the house and away from ignition sources.

• If you have an electric-powered blower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times.

Even if you don't have powerful snow removing tools at your disposal, remember, shoveling snow has its own risks. The one death blamed on Saturday's storm was a man who died of a heart attack while shoveling. (Shoveling snow is actually a known trigger for heart attacks.)

Here are some tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons on preventing shoveling injuries. Stay safe -- and warm!
 

Baltimore Sun photo