How to Use Your Push Lawn Mower Safely

When using power equipment to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful, safety should be your priority. Cub Cadet believes that using a lawn mower is no different. It's important to learn how to use a lawn mower safely before operating it. With a few simple lawn mower safety tips, your yard will look amazing and you and your family will remain safe.

When using a lawn mower, always wear safety glasses or safety goggles. This lawn mower safety tip should be followed even while performing an adjustment or repair. Objects thrown from a push lawn mower can ricochet and cause serious injury to the eyes. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes (preferably steel-toed) and close-fitting slacks and shirts that cover the arms and legs. Never operate a lawn mower with bare feet, sandals, slippery or light-weight shoes.

Before starting to mow, take a short walk around your lawn and thoroughly inspect the area. Keeping lawn mower safety in mind, remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other debris from the lawn that could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade.

Plan your mowing pattern. Be aware that your mower can discard materials as you move. For lawn mower safety, avoid roads, sidewalks and bystanders, as well as walls or obstructions, which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward you.

Check your mower for damaged or missing parts and make any adjustments or repairs before you begin. Missing or damaged parts can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries.

Remember that many injuries occur as a result of lawn mowers being pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hold on to the lawn mower if you are falling; release the handle immediately. When walking never pull the mower back toward you while moving. If you must back away from an obstacle: first, look down and behind you to avoid tripping; step back from the push lawn mower to fully extend your arms; be sure you are well balanced with sure footing; pull the lawn mower back slowly, no more than half way toward you.

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury.  Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it. Mow across the face of slopes: never up and down.  Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. Watch for holes, rocks, hidden objects or bumps which can cause you to slip and trip. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. Never mow wet grass; unstable footing could cause slipping.