Safe Operation of Lawnmowers

home > home safety > other concerns in the home > Tips for Safe Operation of Lawnmowers

Tips for Safe Operation of Lawnmowers

The lawn mower is another device that is helpful and handy when used properly, but poses significant safety risks, and can be deadly when basic precautions aren’t taken. One thing that many people who operate lawn mowers don’t take seriously as a safety threat is the noise. No one should ever operate a lawn mower or similar equipment without wearing ear plugs, shooter’s ear protectors, or both. Lawn mowers make one of the loudest noises most people are exposed to on a regular basis, and using them without ear protection will definitely cause hearing loss over time. Not only are lawn mowers loud, they’re very powerful – a rock or other object expelled by the blades will be moving at over 150 miles per hour, and can easily kill or maim a person or animal. For safety reasons, no pets or people should be in the yard when you’re mowing, and you should pick up any visible objects in the yard before beginning. Also, don’t ever let anyone ride with you while using a riding mower. They were only meant to handle one person, and a fall could result in tragedy. You should never use a riding mower on a steep slope either. This is a huge safety risk, as the possibility of rolling or tipping over is high. You should always wear appropriate footwear while mowing as well; steel-toed or other boots are ideal, but at a minimum make sure your feet are covered. No sandals or bare feet; and it‘s much safer to wear long pants than shorts. And just as with any powerful piece of machinery, you should never remove guards or shields from mowers. If they’re missing or broken, you shouldn’t use the mower until they’ve been replaced. Many of these same precautions apply to weed eaters, snow blowers, hedge trimmers, and other common yard care tools. They’re all very powerful, and therefore very dangerous. You should always be thinking of safety first when using them.

SHORTCUTS TO OTHER CONCERNS IN THE HOME ARTICLES:

Questions or Comments? Contact Us