As summer begins to wane and fall is drawing nearer, we thought that it would be a good idea to review Safety Tips for your Cub Cadet outdoor power equipment. This article is the first part of a three part series on Summer Safety Tips; please check back next week for our next installment. The first part of this series addresses Cub Cadet Push Mower safety tips.
Yard maintenance is sometimes a chore that we perform without much thought to safety. Once in a while, it is still important to remind and review safety procedures regarding yard maintenance equipment.
Though we don’t often consider it, mowing is actually one of the more hazardous chores around the yard. Estimates from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggest that approximately 60,000 people are treated for lawn mower injuries every year. That seems like an outrageous number, and it also seems to highlight the fact that we should all be a bit more conscious of the dangers inherent in working with a push mower.
Mowing the lawn should always begin with a safety inspection of your equipment.
- Ensure that the discharge cover is in place and undamaged, this cover helps to ensure that there are no injuries caused by flying projectiles.
- Handle gasoline carefully; never attempt to fill the gas tank while the engine is running. If you must refuel in the midst of mowing the lawn, allow the engine to cool before adding more gas. If any gasoline is spilled while filling the tank, move the mower from that area before restarting. Starting the lawnmower on top of a spill could ignite a blaze. Do not overfill the tank, since this often results in a spill.
Lawn Review:
Once the mower is inspected and ready, it’s time to spend a few minutes looking over the lawn. It’s easy for things like sticks, rocks and toys to be hidden in the grass, these objects can be pulled into the mower and discharged at a high velocity. In fact, the discharge of objects like these from the mower is one of the most common ways that injuries occur. If there are any visible obstacles or objects, remove them from the lawn mowing area, if they are not transportable, plan your mowing pattern around the obstacle.
Debris Projectiles:
Occasionally, you won’t spot a foreign object in the grass, and it becomes a flying projectile. To prevent harm to an innocent passerby – avoid pointing the discharge chute toward streets and sidewalks. Additionally, use caution if the discharge will ever be pointed toward your home or fence. Discharged objects can cause serious damage to these items, and might even ricochet back at you.
Ensure that there are no children playing nearby. Children are naturally curious about machinery and they tend to emulate their parents. Flying debris could at the very least, cause a skin abrasion, at the worst, damage an eye. Never leave an unattended mower running and warn children about the dangers of the blades and the heat from the engine.
Dress:
Dress appropriately for safety. Wearing long pants to mow on a hot day may not seem comfortable, but it is certainly safe. Wear closed toe shoes that preferably have a steel toe. Not as comfortable as flip flops, but nonetheless an important safety consideration. Appropriate footwear reduces the risk of slipping and falling while mowing. It also protects your feet, should they be run over by any part of the mower. Eyes are also exposed to danger when we mow. Wear safety goggles or at least sunglasses while mowing to keep foreign objects out of your eyes.
Motion:
Avoid pulling the push mower back toward you while you are in motion. Pause; look down and behind you before stepping back to fully extend your arms. Check to make certain that your footing is secure, and pull the mower slowly and carefully toward you. Don’t allow it to cover any more than about half the distance to your feet to avoid injury. If at any time you find yourself falling while mowing, immediately release the mower. This increases the likelihood that the mower will remain upright and accordingly less apt to cause injury.
These tips should remind you to think about your safety and the safety of others during your next yard maintenance day.
In our next installment on Cub Cadet Equipment Safety Tips, we will be reviewing Garden Tiller Safety Tips. For any information on your Cub Cadet Equipment and or Cub Cadet Parts, contact www.cubparts.com.