Lawn Mower & Equipment Safety
If you own your own home, chances are you use a lawn mower or other types of lawn equipment. This page is dedicated to lawn mower and lawn equipment safety, whether it is a leaf blower to rototiller, these safety tips will help keep you safe. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 60,000 injuries are treated by hospital emergency rooms each year because of unsafe operation of power lawn mowers.
- Before starting your lawn mower or equipment, move it to fresh air, free from gas fumes.
- Let motors cool before refueling.
- Store gasoline in UL Listed containers and keep them clear of ignition sources.
- ONLY use gasoline as a fuel. Do not use it as a cleaning agent, charcoal starter or indoors.
- NEVER service mower blades or moving parts while the engine is running.
- NEVER allow children to ride while mowing grass and always know where they are.
- Survey your yard or work area for rocks, small toys, woodchips and twigs.
- Always mow on a hill up and down, never sideways on a ride-on tractor and mow sideways with a walk-behind mower to prevent slipping.
- Keep grass clippings and debris away from moving belts and small engines to prevent overheating and fires.
- Do not mow during thunderstorms (if you can hear thunder you can be struck by lightning) or without enough daylight.
- Make sure all protective guards are in place and secure.
- If your lawn equipment is electric, use the proper gauge extension cord for the power and use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent electric shock.
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, slip proof shoes, closed-toed shoes, safety glasses and close-fitting clothes.
- If you strike an object, shut down the equipment and check for damage. If it is damaged, do not use it until it is repaired.
- Use a broom stick to remove clogs from mowers, leaf blowers, & other lawn equipment. Never use your hands.
- Keep air intake clear of dirt & debris on your leaf blower.
- If using a chainsaw, shut it off while walking, in rough terrain, or slippery surfaces. Walk with the bar behind you unless going downhill, then keep the bar in front of you.
- Make sure all debris & rocks are clear of the tree you are cutting and make sure you have a safety escape route when the tree begins to fall.
- Wear chainsaw chaps, head, eye and hearing protection while operating a chainsaw.
- Before starting your lawn mower or equipment, move it to fresh air, free from gas fumes.
- Let motors cool before refueling.
- Store gasoline in UL Listed containers and keep them clear of ignition sources.
- ONLY use gasoline as a fuel. Do not use it as a cleaning agent, charcoal starter or indoors.
- NEVER service mower blades or moving parts while the engine is running.
- NEVER allow children to ride while mowing grass and always know where they are.
- Survey your yard or work area for rocks, small toys, woodchips and twigs.
- Always mow on a hill up and down, never sideways on a ride-on tractor and mow sideways with a walk-behind mower to prevent slipping.
- Keep grass clippings and debris away from moving belts and small engines to prevent overheating and fires.
- Do not mow during thunderstorms (if you can hear thunder you can be struck by lightning) or without enough daylight.
- Make sure all protective guards are in place and secure.
- If your lawn equipment is electric, use the proper gauge extension cord for the power and use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent electric shock.
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, slip proof shoes, closed-toed shoes, safety glasses and close-fitting clothes.
- If you strike an object, shut down the equipment and check for damage. If it is damaged, do not use it until it is repaired.
- Use a broom stick to remove clogs from mowers, leaf blowers, & other lawn equipment. Never use your hands.
- Keep air intake clear of dirt & debris on your leaf blower.
- If using a chainsaw, shut it off while walking, in rough terrain, or slippery surfaces. Walk with the bar behind you unless going downhill, then keep the bar in front of you.
- Make sure all debris & rocks are clear of the tree you are cutting and make sure you have a safety escape route when the tree begins to fall.
- Wear chainsaw chaps, head, eye and hearing protection while operating a chainsaw.
