Lawn Mower Safety

Lawn mowers are a common lawn care tool, but they still need to be handled with safety in mind. 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. Kids under the age of 15 are especially vulnerable to injury from lawnmowers.

Following are important considerations for safe lawn mower operation:
• Never attempt to lift or repair mower with engine running.
• When mowing with a walk-behind mower, wear heavy-duty shoes with non-slip soles and long pants to protect your legs.
• Always wear eye protection when operating a mower.
• Don't mow a wet lawn or late in the day when the light is dim.
• Never let the starter rope snap back when starting mower.
• Always mow up and down an incline with a traditional (i.e. unit with steering wheel) riding mower.
• Always mow across an incline with a residential walk-behind mower.
• Never adjust mower height, clean grass chute, or remove grass catcher with engine running.
• Always stay clear of hot engine. Mufflers can reach up to 1,200 F (648 C).

  Handling Gasoline

• Never smoke when filling the gas tank.
• Store gasoline in a container with a UL, FM, or CSA label. The Briggs & Stratton Smart Fill Fuel Tank Can meets these requirements.
• Never keep gasoline in the house or fill gas tank indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as near a water heater or other appliances.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck bed with a plastic bed liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.
• Wipe up gasoline spills immediately and do not attempt to start the engine but move the machine away from the area of spillage and avoid creating any source of ignition until fuel vapors have dissipated.
• Never over-fill the fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten securely.
• Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow the engine to cool, before refueling.

  Safety for All Mowers

• Be sure to completely read the safety information contained in the operator's manual.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
• Tragic accidents can occur with children.
• Do not allow children anywhere near the area of operation.
• Children are often attracted to the unit and mowing activity.
• Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
• If there is a risk that children may enter the area where you are mowing, have another responsible adult watch them.
• The blades on mowers spin very fast and can pick up and throw debris that could seriously injure a bystander.
• Be sure to clean up the area to be mowed before you start mowing.
• Do not operate a lawnmower with the discharge guard (reflector) or engine grass catcher installed.
• The Mower Deck has spinning mowers blades that can amputate hands and feet.
• Do not allow anyone near the mower while it is running.
• Always allow the mower blade(s) to stop completely before leaving the mower's operator position.
• Always turn off mower when crossing a sidewalk or a driveway.

  Safety For Riding Mowers

• Do not give children rides on a riding mower, even with the mower blades not turning.
• Children may fall off and be badly injured or interfere with safe machine operation.
• Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine.
• Do not mow with a riding mower in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
• You can be seriously injured or even killed if you use a riding mower on too steep an incline.
• Using a riding mower on a slope that is too steep, or where you don't have adequate traction can cause you to lose control or roll over.
• Always consult your operator's manual for safety messages concerning operation on a slope.

  Safety For Walk-Behind Mowers

• Do not put your hands or feet near or under the mower.
• Never tilt a walk-behind mower; always keep all four wheels on the ground.
• Do not pull the mower backward unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while mowing backwards.

  Safety For Electric Mowers

• Use only recommended, grounded extension cords.
• Mow away from the cord.
• Never abuse the cord or use a frayed cord.
• Always turn off the mower when you leave it, and unplug the cord directly from the outlet; never unplug by yanking the cord from the wall.
• Never use an electric mower when wet or raining.