Lawnmower safety - tips on how to NOT get yourself hurt

As surprising as it might seem, lawnmowers are one of the most dangerous items in your home. Each year close to 12,000 people are injured in accidents related to lawnmowers. The sad thing is that most of these accidents happen to children under the age of 18 years.

The injuries range from loss of toes or fingers, burns, cuts and broken bones. One doesn't even have to be the one operating a lawnmower, you can be hurt even when being close to one. Here are a few tips to prevent these avoidable accidents.

1) The first time you are out there on your lawn, thinking of starting to mow it, make sure that you have read the manual carefully. Different lawnmowers have different safety features, and you want to make sure that if something unexpected happens you know what to do.

2) When you are buying a lawnmower, make sure to get one that has an emergency power cut that shuts the engine as soon as let go off the handle. This feature is very important and might save you from a nasty accident.

3) Before you start mowing your lawn check the area and make sure there aren't any nasty surprises, like rocks or other hard objects. You certainly don't want to push your mower over a rock, break the blade and possibly get yourself hurt in the process, now do you?

4) Make sure children are as far away from your lawnmowers as possible. The little buggers really can't help themselves sometimes, and probably will wreak havoc if you don't watch out for them. It is a good idea to make someone else watch the kids when you are mowing the lawn.

5) Wear proper shoes. Good shoes are the kind of shoes that have a strong and thick padding on the toe area. There are also shoes that have metal protection in them. You might consider wearing these if you want to be extra careful.

6) Consider buying a pushable lawnmower. These are much safer than motor-driven lawnmowers and having an accident with them is quite unlikely. If you are quite sold on pushable lawnmowers, check the 4 Reasons To Buy A Pushable Lawnmower guide.

If you keep these tips in mind, and you will mowing your lawn much more safely and will hopefully not hurt yourself.

Looking for an affordable electric lawnmower? Check out the lightweight and affordable Bosch Rotak 40.