Unsafe Mowing Practices

This is not a humorous topic. Lawn mowers are an extremely dangerous landscape tool. I hope you don't see yourself in these pictures.

Even with a bagger, objects can be propelled from a lawn mower. All family members, especially children, should be removed from the yard when someone is mowing.

Objects can be propelled from a mower at the speed of a bullet. If Daddy runs over a stick, rock or toy, Junior is in for a serious injury.

A lot of people think it's fun to give the kids a ride while mowing. However, if a child does something unpredictable, like jump or squirm, they can wind up falling under the blades. Do NOT allow children to ride on an operational lawn mower!

Family pets are also unpredictable. Pets should either be brought inside, or locked in a different part of the yard, when mowing. This pup thinks it's amusing to chew on the mower wheels...

If this guy slips, there's no way he can avoid the mower coming down on him. Difficult to mow areas should either hand-trimmed, or taken out of the lawn. This area should either be replanted in wildflowers or shrubs, or replaced with large rocks (rip rap).

This child is modeling a piece of protective equipment that few adults wear when mowing or string-trimming: goggles! Eye protection is essential when trimming or pruning, and can be purchased inexpensively at any hardware store.

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