Summertime comes around the same time every year. As it rears its head, the grass starts to grow, and weeds begin to infest the lawn. It is time to take out the lawnmower and the weed eater and begin sculpting the lawn. However, landscaping can be a dangerous activity if safety precautions are not taken. The first step to making sure that your lawn care is accomplished safely is to inspect the lawn for anything that can become tangled in the blades of the lawnmower. This includes things like toys, sticks, dog feces, rocks, or anything else that could be flung at you while mowing the lawn.
At the same time, you should also be certain that pets are out of the way. When mowing the lawn, it may be warmer than desired; however, you should still wear long pants if tolerable to help protect your legs from any debris coming off the mower. Never mow barefoot, and avoid sandals. Use supportive sneakers or some form of enclosed shoe to help protect your feet.
Goggles are a good idea; any pieces of dirt or grass flying up into your face could scratch your eyes, so it is best to protect them. This is especially true if you are trimming or edging. Before beginning, you should consider the damage the sun can inflict. Be sure to wear a proper amount of sunscreen and perhaps a hat to help shield you from the ultraviolet rays. Be sure to hydrate yourself, as you will be sweating and losing precious fluids while you work. Landscaping is a hefty undertaking, even at minimal effort, and it can severely dehydrate an unprepared individual.
Check the fuel tank of the lawnmower prior to beginning it's never a good idea to fill the tank when it is hot from use, and you should not have gas cans close to the exhaust pipe when warm, as fumes could ignite. Never try to unclog a lawnmower without first turning it off and disconnecting the spark plug. It is possible for some models to start upon rotation of the blade, even if the power is off.
This poses a serious danger to digits and limbs that can easily be avoided by taking the proper precautions. Never pull the lawnmower toward you, and never leave it or any other tools running while unattended. If you find that you need to trim or weed eat an area above the head, do NOT use a typical weed whacker or hedge trimmer. Use a cherry picker.
If the cord becomes tangled, be sure to disconnect power before trying to untangle it. Overall, landscaping and lawn care can be an enjoyable experience. Many people enjoy the satisfaction of sculpting a beautiful lawn and planting flowers and shrubs.
However, if the proper safety precautions are not observed, your contented time in the yard could turn into catastrophe.
Has it been awhile since you've worked on the lawn or done any landscaping? Find tips and tricks, as well as current trend information about landscaping on our website at Lawn and Landscaping Tips!
