Maintaining your lawn may not be the most dangerous activity, but it pays to be cautious any time you’re working with power tools. While manufacturers strive to ensure their lawn and garden equipment are as safe as possible, accidents can happen at any time. Below are a few tips for keeping you and your family safe when working out in the yard.

Safety Tips for Maintaining Your Lawn

1. Walk-Through Before Mowing

Modern lawn mowers feature flaps and chutes that direct clippings away from the operator, but they can still fling rocks and wood chips at extremely high velocity. Before you start mowing, do a walk-through of your lawn and pick up stones, branches, and other debris that might present a hazard.

2. Leave Safety Features Intact

Any type of lawn and garden equipment can be dangerous if the manufacturer’s safety equipment is disabled or removed. Whether you’re working with a self-propelled mower, an edge, or hedge trimmer, avoid tampering with the guards, shut-down switches, or other safety features.

3. Wear Appropriate Clothing

Sturdy shoes and boots, work pants, and long-sleeved shirts protect your skin from flying debris and unexpected equipment failure. You should also wear protective eyewear any time you’re operating a weed eater, chainsaw, or hedge clippers.

4. Use the Right Extension Cord

Today’s electric lawn and garden equipment is powerful enough for most home maintenance applications. Many feature long-lasting batteries, but others have to be plugged into an exterior outlet. To prevent shocks and reduce the risk of fire, be sure the extension cord you’re using is rated for outdoor use and is properly grounded.

Since 1935, Schulhoff Equipment Rental & Sales has provided high-quality lawn and garden equipment to contractors and homeowners throughout Cincinnati and the Tri-State Area. With an extensive selection of products, you can be sure they’ll have everything you need to keep your lawn beautiful throughout the summer. Visit their website for more on their equipment rentals, or call (513) 961-1122 to discuss your project.