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In the midst of these hot summer months, people are eager to make their lawns look their best. Green grass, luscious bushes and trees, and neat trimming lines are a sure sign that your property’s maintenance is in tip-top shape and that you yourself have fully embraced the cheerful summer spirit. However, when working on your lawn, specifically with a lawn mower, you must be aware of what dangers are present and how to avoid them, so here are some tips for keeping yourself safe.
- Always wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles or special glasses, close-toed footwear, and long pants. Additionally, you may want to don head protection in the case of a slip or a rollover.
- If you are using a riding or zero-turn mower, never start your it unless you are properly mounted in the driver’s seat and have all your limbs clear of the underside of the deck.
- Test all your controls before starting your machine to see that the dials turn smoothly and that you won’t get stuck in gear.
- Make sure that others, particularly children, are far away from your mower before you switch on the engine.
- Check to see if your mower blades have a lot of debris on them. If so, clean them off ONLY when the spark plug of the machine has been removed and the blades disengaged.
- Remove any and all obstructions in your yard that could disrupt the flow of your mowing session or get caught in the blades.
- Do not operate in weather that is too hot, and apply generous amounts of sunscreen anytime you are getting ready to work on your mower.
- Do not listen to music, talk on the phone, or do anything else that could distract you while operating your machine.
Mowing the lawn is not just a carefree summer activity. It takes consideration of those around you and a conscious effort to operate safely and effectively. Don’t rush your work, and don’t get so comfortable doing it that you forget or skip essential steps and protocol.