Safety Tips about using Lawnmowers

With the warmer weather, people will begin cutting their grass once again.  Hundreds of thousands of individuals are injured by a lawnmower each year, so Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch offers this safety advice.  “We are getting to that time of year when people will be cranking their lawnmowers up and doing some cutting around the house.  So, it seems like we always have maybe one or two incidents during the year for people on lawnmowers.  Here are some safety tips to think about.  The two most commonly reported causes of serious injuries are rollovers and being caught in moving parts.  Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Always cut based on the type of lawnmower that you are using and going by your operator’s manual.  Cut either up and down the slope or across the slope as appropriate.  Wear close-fitting clothes.  It is also most appropriate to wear boots.  Never cut grass in flip-flops or Crocs.  Always check for loose belts, fluid leaks, and accumulated grass, these can all be fire hazardous on your mower.  Use all shields and guards that came with your mower.  Cool your engine off for five minutes before refueling.  As you are cutting, always look ahead for obstacles and debris that could cause you to wreck or sling something out of your lawnmower that could cause injury to a building or someone in the vicinity.”  Please follow this safety advice from the Rabun County Fire Department.