Safety first!
When you need to deal with power tools like a lawnmower, the words “Safety First” even comes with more reality.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 60,000 people including 9000 children get injured each year from the unsafe operation of lawnmower and no doubt, this number is so alarming.
However, when you bring a lawn tractor to make your lawn life much easy, you also bear the high chance of being injured, but you can lessen the opportunities to get hurt from the tractor if you can follow some actionable safety rules.
Here, we are compiling actionable tips for you to keep you safe from the lawn tractor.
Before going to straight to the safety tips, allow me to introduce the common types of lawnmower injuries, you may face
Types Of LawnMower Injuries
Injury from Cuts Lacerations
By far, the most common kinds of lawn mower injuries occur from lacerations or cuts. However, damage happens usually to the hands and feet from the sharp blades.
Injury from Burns
After a decent drive, engine and gas tank becomes too hot that can be a reason to get burnt if they are not correctly handled. An exhausting system that produces high temperature can cause burn as well.
Missile Injuries
A full range missile particle such as wires, loose objects can bring the severe injury if you are not well protected while operating.
Spinning blades that can scatter with a speed around 100 mph leave you in danger very often.
Fractures (Broken Bones)
It is observed that one of the most common lawn mower-related injuries is a fracture that usually happens from tripping or slipping under an active tractor. Fractures occur most commonly to the fingers and hands and next to the legs.
Lawn Mower Safety Tips
1. Read Safety Instruction
Read the lawn mower’s safety manual and the instructions on the mower before use. Safety manual comes to you along with a mower.
You need to read every detail with patience though they are not much attractive. However, even, more you can learn from the internet just clicking few clicks. Put the model number of your mower in the search box, and you will see the instruction.
Just spending a few minutes in reading the safety manual, it’s easy to know how to operate this tool safely.
2. Wear the Proper Shoes, Outfit & Accessories
First thing, wear close-toed shoes with slip-protected soles so that it can keep you safe from the spinning blade and other thrown particles.
Never ride the mower wearing sandals or with bare feet. Sandals are less stable, prone to trip and slip and can’t protect you from the moving and hot particles.
Also, wear the sturdy long pant and the long sleeve shirt that will limit injury to your feet from thrown objects.
Ultrasounds should come to you as a serious concern. Some lawnmower produces extreme sounds that will cause much health-related issues including headache and hearing damage.
Experts say that hearing over 85 decibel sound for a long time can bring hearing damage while lawn mowers can produce over 100 decibels.
So, wearing hearing protection is a must.
Oh one thing, don’t forget to wear goggles while riding the mower. It will protect your eyes from the sun and flying objects.
3. Keep Your Superheroes Away from It
Usually lawn mowers are not designed for kids; unfortunately, they are not ready to listen to this.
Children tend to be attracted to mowers like toys, but they lack the maturity, good judgment, and strength to handle the mowers. Let your superheroes convince that is not the right time to show off with a mower.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 12 shouldn’t use push lawn mowers alone while children under 16 should not drive a riding lawn mower.
However, give plenty of time to your superheroes to do the mowing jobs safely with the tools. Stick to them until they can manage the lawn mower along.
Don’t allow your kids to be a passenger with you while riding as they tend to fall off and can be a victim.
4. Check Conditions
You can start mowing only when the conditions suit you. A sunny, bright weather is suitable to mow safely and adequately.
Avoid lousy weather that produces thunderstorm which can lead your life to danger.
Further, never mow wet grass, it turns your mower stuck with clogged up!
Always try to mow in daylight that provides perfect eyesight to the obstacles ahead. However, some lawn tractors come with the feature of headlights allowing to mow even after sunset, and I would suggest you not mow in the night if you really avoid the urgency.
5. Clear and Avoid Yard Obstacles
Objects like stones, twigs, toys, and debris on a yard can bring harm to you, your mower as well as to your neighbors. A lawn mower can pick up them, through them by the mower blades that can produce hazards if you mow over them.
To avoid this unwanted situation, pick these flying objects upright way to have an uninterrupted and safe ride.
On the other hand, keep your eye on tall grass while approaching, it can hide objects, holes that can be a trap for you.
Even after being so careful, if your mower may get a collision with the obstacle somehow, stop your mower instantly. If you notice that your mower got damaged, don’t drive further until it has been fixed.
6. Follow the Proper Mowing Direction
Mowing in the right direction can lessen the risk.
Follow the vertical direction and avoid pulling out in reverse to be safe in mowing.
However, if you have absolute urgency to mow in reverse, keep your eyes on the back carefully if there are any children behind you. Also, pay attention to the holes and other obstacles in the backside to avoid the collision.
When you deal with the walk-behind lawn mower, mow across the face, not up and up down to avoid tripping under the mower while you need to mow up and down, not across the slopes with a riding mower.
Further, don’t make your mower sharp turn that can be a valid cause of falling the mower on you.
7. Eye on Hills & Steep Terrain
When it comes to mowing in hills or steep terrain, it requires a lot of precautions to make the job done safe and sound, but for the first users, it is a tough nut to crack.
Riding mowers are inclined to trip over sideways, therefore you need to mow up & down in hills safely, while you need to mow with push mower side to side to avoid injury.
Using the self-propelled feature is an excellent idea when you use the push mower in the hills. Self-propelled gives a better balance on a slope, especially when you need to turn.
8. Beware of Burns
Engine and exhaust can become extremely hot; muffler can reach up to 1200.
That means it can cause a severe burning if unprotected skin comes into contact with them. Wait until engine becomes cool when adding the fuel.
9. Check Safety Equipment
There is always a high chance to be injured if your lawn is not protected over hot and sharp parts.
Make sure that your mower is in well protected with guards, shields, the grass catcher, and other types of safety equipment.
However, never deactivate safety devices and never even give a try to lift or repair mower while the engine is running.
10. Engage Tools, Not Your Hands
A lawn mower can be clogged off with grass or debris. It is not wise to put your hands or feet into the machine to clean them.
Let a stick do that jobs instead.
Final Words
Risk and lawn mower come together, no doubt. But we can minimize the risk as well.
You see, if you can follow the above actionable tips, you can keep yourself and others safe from injury.
Enjoy your mowing jobs with a lawn mower.