1. FAMILY SAFESAFE Keeping your home hazard-free Lawn Mower Safety

2. First, read your owners manual. Buy a mower that has a "kill switch" built into the handle, so that when you release the handle, the engine stops and the mower stops moving. Dont tape or clamp the handle so that you can run with mower without holding it. To use a riding mower, kids ought to be at least 16 years old. For regular, walking mowers, kids should be at least 12 years old. Wear strong shoes or boots, not flip-flops or sneakers. Pick up rocks, sticks, pinecones, and toys before mowing, even if you are using a mower that collects the clippings automatically. For more safety resources, visit safetycenter.navy.mil FAMILY SAFESAFE

3. Lawn Mower Safety Wear goggles or safety glasses, and wear hearing protection. Once you get used to protecting your hearing, you'll be amazed at how annoyingly noisy a mower is when you aren't wearing anything. Start the mower in a safe area, away from children and other people. Don't mow when other people are nearby. Put gas in your edger and mower outside, and do it before you start. Avoid running out of gas so that you are faced with filling a mower with a hot engine. If you need to add gasoline to a mower youve been using, let it cool for at least 20 minutes. For more safety resources, visit safetycenter.navy.mil FAMILY SAFESAFE

4. Lawn Mower Safety Turn off the mower and wait for the blade to stop spinning before you empty the grass catcher, unclog something from the blade or from under the mower, or push the mower across rocks or gravel. Riding mowers aren't meant to carry passengers. Before you start, make sure the cutting blade is sharp and not damaged. Make sure the grass is dry. Wet or damp grass clogs the blade and discharge chute. When cutting hills or slopes, cut across the slope and not up and down the slope. For more safety resources, visit safetycenter.navy.mil FAMILY SAFESAFE