Lawn Mowers, Trimmers & Yard Equipment
Lawn mowers injure tens of thousands of people every year, including thousands of children. Blades, thrown objects and riding mower rollovers cause most serious injuries.
- Homeowners
Before mowing
- Pick up sticks, rocks, toys and debris from the lawn
- Wear closed-toe sturdy shoes, long pants, safety glasses and hearing protection
- Check that guards, the discharge chute and the blade-stop control work
- Kids and pets indoors or well away
Mowing safely
- Push mowers: mow across slopes, side to side.
- Riding mowers: drive up and down slopes, not across. Avoid steep slopes, ditches and pond edges.
- Look behind you before and while backing up.
- Turn off the engine and wait for the blade to stop before clearing clogs, and disconnect the spark plug wire before working on the blade.
- Never give children rides on riding mowers or let them be in the yard while you mow.
- Don’t let children operate mowers: experts recommend age 12+ for push mowers and 16+ for riding mowers.
- Don’t refuel a hot engine; let it cool first.
Trimmers, blowers and hedge cutters
- Wear eye and hearing protection; trimmer line throws debris.
- Keep others at least 50 feet away while trimming.
- Use a ladder-free method (extension pole tools) for hedges and high branches when possible.
Standards & references
Last updated: