Gut ter Cleaning Can Be Dangerous to Your Health

Four residents of Putnam County learned the hard way Sunday that cleaning leaves and debris from roof gutters can be dangerous to your health.

The Putnam 911 Dispatch Center sent EMS personnel to residences in Brewster, Mahopac, Putnam Valley, and Philipstown for reports of victims falling from ladders.

Ambulances, paramedics, and volunteer fire firefighters assisted the four men who authorities said fell anywhere from 10 feet to 20 feet to the ground.

The victims ranged in age from 26 to 73 and were all taken to Putnam Hospital Center, Hudson Valley Hospital Center, or Danbury Hospital in Connecticut for treatment of broken bones and possible internal injuries.

Authorities have suggested that those cleaning their gutters use extreme caution, or ,as a veteran member of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department suggested: “Hire a guy who knows what he’s doing!”