Be Careful With Elec. Hedge Clippers

[lugnut33]

I should know because last Sat. I was out trimming some bushes when I accidently got my finger partially amputated by one. The blade made it 3/4 of the way thru my right ring finger just above the first knuckle.

I immediately applied pressure to the finger, ran inside the house and told my wife to get me to the ER right now. I made sure not to look at it because that's when people end up passing out. Ends up the tip was just sort of hanging off to the side so I'm glad I didn't look at it.

I was in the ER within minutes getting care. 6 hours later I left with the end of my finger sewn back on with 13 stitches. It now looks like Frankenweenie (Tim Burton fans know what I'm talking about), but it should recover. I still have feeling in it and it moves. Surprisingly there is not a lot of pain. More annoying was the infection that set in and sent me back to the ER on Sunday nite for 4 more hours.

I'm feeling pretty good, but it's a total PITA to type now.

So take some advice from your Uncle Dave, be sure to operate all power equipment with safety in mind. If your using powered hedge clippers be sure to keep both hands on the handles, do not get careless like I was and do the one handed swipes. Totally my fault and I paid for it.

Oh, worse part about the whole thing, it (my blood) screwed up my 50th anniversary sweatshirt from Disneyland.

 

[snowywhite89]

Glad you are feeling better.

My electric hedge trimmers have two trigger for it to work. You need two hands to work it.

 

[lugnut33]

Glad you are feeling better.

My electric hedge trimmers have two trigger for it to work. You need two hands to work it.

I wish mine did

 

[sayhello]

And this would be why I don't use power tools...

Sayhello

 

[auroralark]

Yikes! That's scary! Glad everything turned out okay.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Oh, worse part about the whole thing, it (my blood) screwed up my 50th anniversary sweatshirt from Disneyland.

Try Dawn dish washing detergent on the spots.

It's amazing.

 

[lugnut33]

I'll swing by the store to get some Dawn.

 

[MikeinBoston]

I did the exact same thing about 10 years ago. I had unplugged it and after the power is cut the blades would keep moving back and forth for about 3 seconds, and that was just long enough for my finger to get in the way. Never saw so much blood. You'll be fine friend!

 

[sayhello]

I'll swing by the store to get some Dawn.

Use cold water! Warm/hot water will set the stains.

Sayhello

 

[SamSam]

Yikes! I always thought there was a built in safety feature....don't know why I thought that. I will definitely be more careful with mine in the future.

So glad they were able to get your finger sewn back together.

 

[catycatcat4]

Ouch.

A little over a year ago my brother cut his finger off in a door.

 

[kaligal]

I'm always careful with power tools. If you aren't, you could cut off a finger!



It's good advice, to be sure.

Other than bleach (which weakens the fabric), the best way I've found to get rid of blood stains on clothing is to buy new clothing. I've heard and tried all the crap, but bleach and new clothes are what work for me.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Holy cow! I'm glad you're alright! Honestly, I have done the one handed swipe many a time and will definitely heed your warnings in the future. Yikes!

 

[lugnut33]

Holy cow! I'm glad you're alright! Honestly, I have done the one handed swipe many a time and will definitely heed your warnings in the future. Yikes!

Please don't do the one handed swipe!! That is totally what got me.

One cool thing is the splint they gave me to protect the end of my finger. It's a hard shell so I can go around flicking people in the forehead with it and it doesn't hurt..... doesn't hurt me atleast.

 

[rlduvall]

One cool thing is the splint they gave me to protect the end of my finger. It's a hard shell so I can go around flicking people in the forehead with it and it doesn't hurt..... doesn't hurt me atleast.

I'm so glad you found the silver lining. Seriously, I hope you get better soon.

I got so mad at my DH because we had just bought electric trimmers and a special extension cord. Within 2 minutes of him beginning to trim the bushes, he had already cut the extension cord in half, then the cord attached to the trimmers, then jammed the trimmers permanently. Good thing he's pretty to look at. We now pay to have it done . . . still cheaper!

 

[EDuke98080]

I'm so glad you found the silver lining. Seriously, I hope you get better soon.

I got so mad at my DH because we had just bought electric trimmers and a special extension cord. Within 2 minutes of him beginning to trim the bushes, he had already cut the extension cord in half, then the cord attached to the trimmers, then jammed the trimmers permanently. Good thing he's pretty to look at. We now pay to have it done . . . still cheaper!

I also cut the extension cord in half with the hedge trimmers and put a screw gun through my thumb nail and thumb. I also no longer use power tools . Be careful out there! Hope your feeling better soon!