Lawn and Garden Care Hidden Hazards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues reminders from time to time that hidden hazards can cause serious injuries when people forget to practice common sense safety measures. This information is designed for the public and the latest cautionary advice to come to this office for distribution is a timely reminder that avoidable yardwork and gardening accidents send about 230,000 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment yearly.
Approximately 75 deaths and 20,000 injuries on or near riding lawnmowers and garden tractors are reported annually. Once of every five deaths involves a child. It has been estimated that most of the deaths of children occurred wen a child was in the path of a moving mower. CPSC is responsible for making sure that lawn and garden equipment designed for consumer use is safe, but in addition, like the Division of Fire, Emergency & Building Services, CPSC informs the public about "hidden hazards" and how to avoid them.
Knowing how to operate equipment and how to handle the controls is essential. guards or other safety devices should never be removed.
Appropriate clothing such as sturdy shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles, long pants and long sleeved shirts, eye protection, heavy gloves, and hearing protection when necessary is important. jewelry can get caught in moving parts and should not be worn while working with equipment.
Before starting, walk around the area in which work will be done and remove sticks, glass, metal, wire and stones that could cause injury or damage equipment.
Never take a child for a ride on a garden tractor or riding mower.
Keep children indoors and supervised at all times when outdoor power equipment is being used. young children move quickly and are attracted to mowing activity.
Never assume children will remain where you last saw them. turn off the mower if children enter the mowing area. use extra care when backing up or going around corners, shrubs, trees or other obstacles.
Never work with electric power tools in wet or damp condition. for protection against electrocution, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (gfci). gfcis come in several models, including a portable plug-in type.
Be sure that extension cords are in good condition, are rated for outdoor use, and are the proper gauge for the electrical current capacity of the tool.
Unplug electric tools and disconnect spark plug wires on gasoline-powered tools before making adjustments or clearing jams near moving parts.
Be sure that power tools are turned off and made inoperable if they must be left unattended. this helps to prevent use by children.
Never fill gas tanks while machinery is operating or when equipment is still hot. wipe up spills. store gas in an approved container away from the house. never smoke or use any type of flame around gasoline.