Common Dangers of Lawn Mower
Lawn mowers are a wonderful invention. They save us time and energy. They allow us to maintain our property much more efficiently too. These characteristics make for a more enjoyable living experience, a beautiful place for children to play outside, and can increase property value. Despite all their benefits, lawn mowers can be dangerous when not used correctly. In fact, according to the Amputee Coalition, more than 600 children undergo mower-related amputations each year. Also, More than 80,000 people go to the emergency room each year because of lawn mower injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. With these statistics in mind, it is important to be aware of the most common type of injuries and how to avoid them.
On of the scariest dangers of lawn mowing is the loss of fingers, toes, or entire body parts. Getting your hand, fingers, toes, or foot caught in the lawn mower blades is a very common issue. You may even know someone who has lost a body part to a lawn mower. Losing body parts are not reversible; therefore, you should be very careful about where you place your hands and feet when operating a mower. Moreover, be sure not to turn the mower upside down while it is on, wear close-toed shoes, and keep a safe distance from the blades. Also, pay attention when mowing, and go at a steady enough speed to maneuver around dangerous obstacles. Many lawnmowers have ways to turn them off immediately in case of an emergency. Know your options to stay safe.
Another common danger is the lawnmower’s engine burning you. Most people forget the engine stays hot for some time after they turn the mower off. Ignoring a hot engine can lead to severe injuries that can require hospital visits, especially if someone leans hard on the mower while it is scalding. To avoid this, keep pets and children away from the lawn mower. When you are done using it, ensure you put it in a secure place where it can cool down properly. Do not leave it unattended. Lastly, do not refuel the engine while it is hot. Adding fuel to a hot engine can be very dangerous. Follow these protocols, and you will help prevent injury.
Another significant danger is lawn mowers shooting out objects during mowing sessions. From tree limbs to rocks, mowers can spit out material at high speeds. Flying debris can cause serious injury if someone gets hit in the eye or an exposed body part with the rubble. Protect yourself by wearing protective eye gear, clothing, and ensuring the mower has a guard to stop flying debris.
If you take the precautions mentioned above, you can make your mowing a safer experience. But, accidents happen, so be prepared with a first aid kit nearby and a plan in case something does happen.
On of the scariest dangers of lawn mowing is the loss of fingers, toes, or entire body parts. Getting your hand, fingers, toes, or foot caught in the lawn mower blades is a very common issue. You may even know someone who has lost a body part to a lawn mower. Losing body parts are not reversible; therefore, you should be very careful about where you place your hands and feet when operating a mower. Moreover, be sure not to turn the mower upside down while it is on, wear close-toed shoes, and keep a safe distance from the blades. Also, pay attention when mowing, and go at a steady enough speed to maneuver around dangerous obstacles. Many lawnmowers have ways to turn them off immediately in case of an emergency. Know your options to stay safe.
Another common danger is the lawnmower’s engine burning you. Most people forget the engine stays hot for some time after they turn the mower off. Ignoring a hot engine can lead to severe injuries that can require hospital visits, especially if someone leans hard on the mower while it is scalding. To avoid this, keep pets and children away from the lawn mower. When you are done using it, ensure you put it in a secure place where it can cool down properly. Do not leave it unattended. Lastly, do not refuel the engine while it is hot. Adding fuel to a hot engine can be very dangerous. Follow these protocols, and you will help prevent injury.
Another significant danger is lawn mowers shooting out objects during mowing sessions. From tree limbs to rocks, mowers can spit out material at high speeds. Flying debris can cause serious injury if someone gets hit in the eye or an exposed body part with the rubble. Protect yourself by wearing protective eye gear, clothing, and ensuring the mower has a guard to stop flying debris.
If you take the precautions mentioned above, you can make your mowing a safer experience. But, accidents happen, so be prepared with a first aid kit nearby and a plan in case something does happen.
