Every year children are severely injured or killed in lawnmower accidents. Lawn mowers are power tools. You would not let your toddler use a chain saw or table saw. Stop taking chances with this very powerful tool, the lawn mower. Injuries usually caused by lawn mower accidents result in loss of fingers, toes, and even eyes. Other injuries include brain injuries and even death. Statistics show that one in every five deaths caused by a lawn mower involves a child. In order to aid in keeping children safe we wrote this article. We give practical guidelines that if followed can reduce injuries to a child, received by a lawn mower.
First always wear the proper clothing. Wear tight fitting clothes. Long sleeves and long pants are best. Never mow the lawn barefoot. Never wear open toed shoes or flip- flops. You should wear closed, slip resistant shoes. Gloves and eye protection might also be beneficial.
Always check your equipment before starting. You should start with preparing your lawn. Make sure toys and other debris are picked up. Be sure to check in the tall grass where things are not so visible. Check to make sure all lawn mower parts are in working order. Repair any loose or damaged parts before you start. Never disable safety devices or shields. Always fill the tank with gas before you start. Wipe up any fuel spills before turning on the mower. Never fill up a mower that has been operating and is hot. Never have a flame or smoke cigarettes around a working lawn mower.
Never try and fix a problem while the mower is running. If you need to remove debris from a blade you should always turn off the mower and disconnect the wire from the spark plug. Never reach under a lawn mower while it is still on, even if the blade is not rotating.
Do not cut the grass while it is still wet. Wet grass can clog the discharge chute and could jam the blade and shut down the engine. Remember never reach under a lawn mower while it is still in operation. When you need to remove clippings from the chute, the rotary blade must be stopped.
Use a mower equipped with an automatic blade cut off. Use a mower with an automatic blade cut off switch on the handle. Make sure you stay behind the mower for several seconds after releasing the blade and you make sure it is no longer spinning.
Simple safety tips:
- Never use a riding mower on slopes
- Never allow young children to mow the grass
- Never allow passengers on riding mowers
- Keep children in the house while mowing the lawn
Thank you for a very clear and helpful post. I am definitely a violator of many of these rules. I often find myself conflicted when writing a blog post because I see myself writing more than people want to read, but I feel that I have to do the subject matter justice by thoroughly covering it. I feel that by following some of these rules I end up cutting out important aspects to the discussion. I guess you have to find a balance.
Swell post I enjoyed it.
Whats up ! Love your blog. thanks for sharing it with everyone