Lawn Mower Safety Basics

Dress properly to do the job safely.

No bare feet! No sandals! No sneakers! Always wear sturdy shoes - preferably steel-toed shoes, safety glasses and earplugs.

Keep all persons and pets away from mowing area.

Remember, a mower blade can pick up and throw objects with force sufficient to seriously injure or kill. Make sure that children and pets are indoors or at a safe distance well away from the area that you plan to mow.

No riders on riding mowers.

Always say “NO” to children asking to ride the mower with you. Extra riders can be thrown from the mower and run over. Extra riders also distract an operator, contributing to careless mistakes.

No playing around lawn mowers.

Playing with a mower is asking for serious trouble. This has caused many serious injuries. Use a mower only for the purpose it was designed – to mow lawns.

Handle gasoline with care.

Mowers should be refueled outdoors with the motor turned off and cool.

Check guards and shields.

Be sure all protective devices are in place before starting the mower.

Look behind you.

Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.

Do not use riding mowers on steep slopes.

Mower overturns cause serious injury. Drive up and down slopes when operating a riding mower. Mow across the slope only when using a walk-behind mower.

Take care of your mower.

The operator-presence switch should stop the mower immediately when you release the control. Clean and safety-check your mower during the mowing season. If you have any doubt about how to adjust or repair your mower or sharpen your mower blade, see an expert.