Lawn Mower Safety Facts and Tips
Each year, more
than 87,000 Americans are injured while mowing the
lawn, including more than 10,000 children.
Follow these safety tips before, during and after
mowing your lawn and enjoy a safe summer season.
A mower can throw objects at speeds greater than 200
mph
Fueling and Refueling a Mower
-
Fill the tank before starting
-
Fill the tank outside
-
Never fuel a mower when the engine is running or is hot
-
Burns caused by touching a hot muffler can be severe
-
Never hang gas cans from the mower handles where a hot
exhaust pipe could ignite escaping fumes and cause an explosion
Clothing and Starting the Mower
-
Wear close-fitting clothes that cover your legs
-
Always wear safety glasses while mowing
-
Leather, closed-toe shoes offer the best protection
-
Do not wear sandals while mowing
-
Keep safety devices and guards in place
-
Start the mower on level ground where you have firm footing
Children and Mowing
-
Children under the age of 12 should not operate push mowers
-
Children under the age of 14 should not operate riding
mowers
-
Always look behind the mower when backing riding mowers –
on average, one child in the U.S. is backed over by a parent on
a riding mower per day
Avoid Mowing Wet Grass
-
Wet grass increases the chance of the operator slipping
under the mower
-
Wet grass clogs the mower
-
Wet grass causes uneven lawns
Unclogging the Mower
-
Always shut off the engine before unclogging the discharge
chute
-
Twenty-two percent of mower injuries involve the hands,
fingers and wrist
Push Mowers
-
Many mower accidents occur when the operator slips under
the mower
-
When using a push mower, mow across inclines or parallel to
the slope
-
Never pull the mower toward you; always push it
Riding Mowers
-
Riding mowers do not come with roll over protection
-
Drive riding mower up and down inclines
-
Do not allow children to ride along on riding mower
Electric Mowers
-
Plug electric mowers into a ground fault interrupter (GFCI)
to ensure the safety of the operator
-
Check cords and plugs
-
Use a heavy duty extension cord and periodically check
their condition
-
Be aware of your cord at all times
-
Electric mowers create a different type of burn hazard -
frayed insulation, a metal mower and damp grass can cause severe
electrical burns or lethal shocks
Mower Maintenance
-
Disconnect the spark plug before working on a mower
-
Remove mower blades to sharpen them
-
Check for gasoline spills before restarting a mower
Hedge Trimmers / Weed Wackers / Lawn Edgers
-
Even small lawn appliances can cause harm
-
Wear eye protection
-
Wear long pants to protect from abrasions
-
Never use electric hedge trimmers over your head
-
If electric trimmers become lodged on something, disconnect
power source before attempting to dislodge it
-
Ear protection is recommended
-
When using a weed trimmer, disconnect power before working
on a stuck line
Always drink plenty of fluids and stay safe this summer!
© Copyright, 2011 Sedgwick County, Kansas
Please report problems to the webmaster
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
