So, you went ahead and purchased a lawnmower. Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of your very own green kingdom, complete with a brand new riding rig or a strong push mower.
Having a serious conversation is necessary before you charge into the lush grass like a weekend warrior. Mowing the lawn requires more than simply hand power; it requires a machine with a blade that spins at thousands of revolutions per minute.
Do not mishandle it; else, disaster may strike before you can say “mulching kit.” Let’s dissect the fundamental routines that distinguish the experts from the amateurs who end up in the ER.
Why Does Lawnmower Safety Matter So Much?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each year, thousands of individuals are hospitalized as a result of accidents with lawn mowers. We aren’t referring to a minor injury here.
Things like gunshots hurtling through the air, engine fires, and accidents involving tilting are what we’re talking about. Yes, it is as intense as it sounds.
The bright side? To a large extent, these “accidents” might have been prevented. You can keep your yard seeming like a golf course without breaking a sweat if you adhere to a few simple guidelines.
What Are the Most Critical Safety Steps Before You Even Start the Engine?
In the minds of most, the moment the blade starts to spin, danger is imminent. My goodness, that was a huge error. Where you truly make or break it is in the preparation.
1. Clear the Battlefield
Go for a stroll around the yard before you fiddle with the pull-cord or start button. I am referring to a hands-on, concrete demonstration.
Gather the pebbles, twigs, toys, and even the stray dog bones. The impact of a rock with a mower blade can cause it to travel at speeds exceeding 175 miles per hour.
The pebble transforms into a missile with the potential to shatter windows or injure innocent bystanders. Get in there and sweep the mess; you can’t rely on your peripheral vision.
2. Dress Like You Mean Business
People mow in shorts and flip-flops all the time; it’s ridiculous, really. The machinery you are working with is quite hefty.
Put on some grippy, closed-toe shoes, ideally work boots. You can keep pebbles and stray grass blades from hurting your legs if you wear long pants.
Always use protective eyewear, earplugs, and gloves—the “big three” of PPE. When you’re 80 years old and still have flawless vision and hearing, your future self will be eternally grateful.
3. Check the Machine’s Vitals
Make sure to check the oil. Check the attachment of the guards and the grass catcher to ensure they are securely fastened.
Do not start the mower if any of the guards are loose or missing. These components work together to contain the debris within the deck and shield you from any potential harm.
To get the most out of your gas mower, fill up the tank before turning it on. A confined fireball is the certain outcome of spilling gas on a hot engine.
Operating Your Mower Without Ending Up in the ER
The groundwork has been laid, so let’s move on to the “doing.” At this point, the majority of first-time owners become overconfident.
The Science of the Slope
Pay attention if you’re in an area with hills, because that’s when mowers are flipped. What you’re driving determines the rules.
With a push mower, you must mow across the slope at all times. The mower will go down or up if you slide, but it will not roll you over.
Be sure to mow both sides of any incline when using a riding mower. Due to their heavy design, these machines are prone to tipping over when maneuvered on inclines or declines.
Blades with a high angular velocity $\omega$ are physically designed to have any change in stability amplified. The slope is likely too steep if it seems that way. For those areas, a string trimmer will do the trick.
Keep the “Gallery” Away
Pets and children like watching the mower, but they should not play on or near it. Set up a “no-go zone” around your workspace until you finish.
A youngster can outrun your reaction time when they dash up behind a lawnmower. As soon as you notice an approaching person, turn off the mower.
While being overly careful could make you feel like “that person,” it’s the wiser choice. Never put a child in the position of “passengers” on a tractor; doing so is extremely risky.
Never Leave a Running Machine
It may seem obvious, but a surprising number of people forget to turn off their mowers when they go to relocate a lawn hose.
Put the engine off whenever you remove your hand from the handle—end of discussion.
While most newer mowers feature “dead man” switches that cut power when the operator releases the trigger, these devices aren’t foolproof. Practice turning it off on a regular basis.
Maintenance Hacks That Keep You Safe
Keeping the mower in good repair extends its life in more ways than one. Making sure it doesn’t let you down in any manner is the main concern.
The Spark Plug Secret
Always detach the spark plug wire before servicing the mower deck, whether it’s to remove compacted grass or swap out blades.
For mower safety, this is the only guideline. It is theoretically possible to “kick-start” the engine by manually turning the blade if there is residual compression in the cylinder.
Avoiding a potentially fatal injury is as simple as withdrawing the wire, a job that takes only a second. For a new owner, it is the most crucial habit to establish.
Keep the Blade Sharp but Handled with Care
Grass gets ripped up, and the engine has to work harder when the blade is dull. A sharp blade will remain sharp.
Wear thick leather gloves when you take the blade off to sharpen it. While you loosen the bolt, jam the blade with a block of wood to prevent it from spinning.
Handling Fuel and Batteries Without the Drama
Respect for the energy source is essential, regardless of whether you’re on the gas or electric side. When handled improperly, anyone can do a significant amount of damage.
Gas Mower Safety
Use an approved “no-spill” container to keep your fuel contained. Put it somewhere cool and dry, far from any appliances that could cause it to overheat, such as a furnace or water heater.
Refueling is no time to light up. Despite how trite it is, many still do it.
Quickly change into clean clothes if gas gets on them. In addition to being a huge fire threat, gasoline irritates the skin.
Electric and Battery Safety
You are dealing with Lithium-ion batteries if you opted for the cordless option. Although these things are fantastic, they aren’t fond of very hot weather.
Mower batteries can’t withstand temperatures over 120 degrees, so keep them out of the sun and out of the trunk. Do not use a battery that seems enlarged or broken.
Only use the charger that was included with the mower while charging it. A battery could potentially explode due to “thermal runaway,” a fancy term for when you use a cheap charger from a third party.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Attempting to cut corners in order to save five minutes is something that everyone has done. To avoid these major ones, here they are.
Traversing the Night
Sure, I can see why you’d rather wait until it’s cooler; it’s ninety degrees outside. Mowing, however, should not be done in the dark.
The pebbles, pits, and low-hanging branches that could cause danger become invisible as your visibility declines. Stay out of the dark.
No need to tackle full-scale landscaping at midnight with your mower’s headlights; they’re more for “limping” back to the garage.
Addressing Moist Grass
Both you and the mower will have a rough time cutting wet grass. When the grass gets too thick, it can jam the discharge chute.
You might then feel the urge to reach into the chute and clear it, but you should never do this—not even when the engine is off. Grab a stick and swing it around.
Additionally, wet grass makes slopes quite treacherous. Your foot can go up under the deck if you slip just once. Be patient and let the dew dry.
Skipping Over the “Vibe”
Do not continue operating the mower if it begins to vibrate excessively. Typically, a twisted blade or an engine bolt is to blame when there is vibration.
If you keep mowing with a strong vibration, the machine can break apart. Pay attention to it; it’s a red flag.
The Psychology of the “Quick Job”
Being in a hurry is a common trigger for accidents. It occurs to us, “I’ll just mow this one patch real quick before the rain hits.”
We neglected to bring the safety glasses at that point. We failed to remove the toys from the yard at that point.
Make sure to approach each mow as if it were your first. Do not let your thoughts wander to what you are going to eat for dinner while you keep your hands on the wheel.
Summarizing Your Safety Checklist
Here are the “must-dos” for each mow to help simplify:
- Examine the Yard: Gather Any Non-Grassy Objects You See.
- Arm yourself: Boots, pants, eyes, and ears.
- Oil and gas should be checked when cool.
- Slope Technique: Side to side for pushing and up and down for riding.
- No Watching: Please keep children and animals indoors.
- Remember to disconnect the spark plug before handling the blade.
- No Hands in Chutes: To unclog them, use a stick or a tool.
If you follow these simple safety guidelines, which every new lawnmower owner should be aware of, you may transform a potentially hazardous task into a fun and rewarding weekend tradition.
