EAU CLAIRE, WI (WTAQ) - State officials are warning people to keep their hands out of their snow blowers.

That’s after 7 men in the Eau Claire area suffered major hand injuries this week, while unclogging wet heavy snow from their machines.

Four of the victims needed surgery – and 3 had at least one finger partially or completely amputated.

The Mayo Health System in Eau Claire treated all seven men. Spokesman Paul Meznarich said the hospital normally gets one or two snow blower injuries in the average winter – and 7 in one day is really unusual.

Authorities say people should always turn off their clogged snow blowers, and then use a broom or stick instead of their hands to dislodge the snow.