Summer Lawn Maintenance
Warm summer days includes lawn care around our homes and businesses. As you do yard work outside this summer, please keep in mind the dangers of using landscaping tools. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, injuries from lawn mowers total more than 70,000 per year.
What steps can you take to reduce your exposure to either sudden or long term injuries? The first and most commonly overlooked step is to review your owner’s manuals. Most manuals provide information on how to prepare the lawn, the equipment, and yourself prior to powering up any equipment.
Safety Tips When Caring for Your Lawn
- Before you mow, pick up objects that may have found their way into your yard. Make sure toys, sticks, rocks and any other debris are cleared from the area.
- Send your children inside or make sure they are closely being watched. The revolving blades of a mower can throw objects at speeds of 200 miles per hour.
- Make sure your equipment is in proper working condition. Did you remember to change the oil and put fresh gasoline in the tank? Did you check the blade to make sure it is tight and has no nicks or cracks?
- Wear proper protection. Long pants, close-fitting clothes, sturdy shoes, and safety glasses should be worn.
- Remember to use hearing protection when operating lawn and garden power tools. OSHA lists the decibel levels of most home lawn mowers at 95 to 100 dB and weed trimmers at up to 105 dB.
The IMT Loss Control Department is available to provide additional information on this topic or any other safety related topic. Please contact your local IMT Agent or the Loss Control Department if we can be of assistance.
