While they may not seem too dangerous, using lawnmowers comes with some risks and injuries that are easily preventable. These safety tips may be just what you’re looking for to ensure safe mowing practices:
Read the Owner’s Manual: It’s important to read the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s manual that came with your lawn mower, even if you’ve owned one before. Newer models may come equipped with different technology and new safety features that you may not have seen before. Familiarize yourself with these things before using them.
Check the Grass: It is very important to check the grass before using the mower. Are there rocks, toys, or the like nearby? These must be removed immediately – if caught and thrown by the mower, the debris could cause serious injury.
Keep children and pets away: If you want to mow, consider doing it while your children and pets are inside or outside the house. Do not allow your children to operate the mower unless they are strong and responsible enough to operate it safely. Even then, you should not let them use the mower unsupervised, in case something goes wrong.
Avoid hills and slopes: Using your lawnmower on hills or slopes can be very dangerous, especially on steep slopes. They are known to overturn or operators out of control, so the best solution is to use other types of ground covers in hilly areas. If that’s not an option, make sure to push the mower over the hill, not up and down, to make sure you’re using it as safely as possible.
Wear the right shoes: The most vulnerable part of the body in a lawnmower accident is the feet, so it’s important to make sure you wear closed-toe shoes when mowing. Do not operate the lawnmower while wearing thongs or sandals, or even consider doing so barefoot. Refueling a Cold Engine: As with refueling a car, do not refuel your lawnmower while it is running or hot. Hot fuel splash back can cause severe burns to the operator or anyone nearby.
Make sure the grass is dry: Only mow when it is dry. Wet grass adhering to the mower is known to cause mechanical failure, which can lead to injury.
While it is not difficult to use your lawnmower in a safe and discreet manner, following the safety tips above will ensure the safety of you and your family, as well as the enjoyment of owning a lawnmower for years to come. A well-maintained and safe lawn mower is built to last.
Electric Lawn Mowers – A Green Solution
Did you know there’s a more environmentally friendly way to cut grass than a regular gas lawn mower? Like the increasingly popular electric vehicles, electric lawn mowers exist that can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Electric lawn mowers are new to the market but are growing in popularity.
These new electric lawn mowers are push mowers and are perfect for smaller yards. They’re better for the environment, easy to clean, and won’t cost you a fortune in gas. While electric lawn mowers aren’t currently available as riding mowers, they may be available soon.
Most homeowners who own an electric lawnmower say the main reason for choosing an electric lawnmower is environmental awareness. Cutting grass with a regular gasoline-powered lawnmower for about an hour can cause more air pollution than driving 150 miles, experts say. Electric lawn mowers use significantly less energy and are therefore much less taxing on the environment.
Another benefit of owning an electric lawn mower versus running it on gas is that you don’t have to worry about pulling the cord to start it. Electric lawn mowers can be turned on at the touch of a button. Electric lawn mowers also require no adjustments or oil changes. They’re also quiet compared to most growing gas mowers.
Electric lawn mowers use a plug for power and draw energy from an electrical outlet. This way, using an electric lawn mower is like using a vacuum cleaner at home. However, like vacuums, electric lawn mowers have problems with tugging cords. Sometimes the rope isn’t long enough to get where you need to go, so you have to stop working and switch. This can be cumbersome. The good news is that there is now a new brand of cordless electric lawn mowers that use rechargeable batteries. This solves the problem of dragging ropes around the yard.
Cordless electric lawn mowers use 1 to 4 rechargeable 12-volt batteries. Most are more expensive than gas mowers and corded electric mowers, but there are some cheaper options. Plus, you don’t have to spend money on gas or maintenance, so you’ll save money in the long run.
Depending on the model you get, cordless electric lawn mowers may also come with mulch plates. This plate is convenient because it allows you to use the mower to cover your grass instead of just cutting it. Check to see if the cordless electric lawn mower you’re interested in has this feature.
If you’re interested in buying an electric lawn mower, cordless or not, be sure to check out customer reviews. Since these mowers are relatively new on the market, it’s hard to say what types of problems they might face over time. The best way to understand these is to listen to what the actual owner is saying.