Lawn Mower Safety Tips For Usage in Hot Weather

Regularly mowing your lawn is the best way to keep it healthy and strong, but summer can present some risks that homeowners need to know. Heat itself is a major threat, and it’s important to know how to stay safe when you’re landscaping. Before we dive into the safety tips, let’s make sure you’re using the right type of lawn mower for your needs.

What Type of Lawn Mower Is Best for You?

There are gas, electric, stand-on, push, and riding lawnmowers to help you tend to your grass and landscape your property. Gas-powered, riding lawnmowers are powerful machines ideal for individuals with a wide plot of land they need to tend to. Stand-on or push lawnmowers are better for those whose yards are a manageable size and don’t require extensive maintenance.

As for gas or electric, gas-powered mowers are stronger and better for properties that have a lot of land to cover. They are more adept at cutting through tough grass and can be helpful on properties with sloped hills. Electric mowers are quieter, tend to be easier to use, and are ideal for flatter yards that don’t require super-intensive upkeep.

Safety Tips for Summer Mowing

If you’re ready to get out there and mow the lawn this summer, read these tips to ensure you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Start Early

The hottest time of day is between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Mowing in direct sunlight at peak hours will increase your risk of overheating and sunburn. Head out early, preferably just after sunrise, so you can enjoy cooler weather as you mow the lawn.

Stay Hydrated

If you’re using a push lawn more, this is especially important. The physical strain of mowing a lawn can cause you to lose a lot of fluid through sweat. Taking breaks to rehydrate is critical to staying safe.

Even if you’re on a riding or stand-on mower, hydration matters. The heat will cause you to lose fluids, and you want to replenish them every hour or so rather than push through the scorching temperatures.

Keep Kids and Pets Indoors

With the weather sunny, kids and pets naturally spend more time outside. But this can be dangerous when you’re landscaping. For general safety, make sure you have children and animals stay inside while you tend to the lawn. Be sure to also keep an eye out for any wildlife that may be in your yard, like squirrels or chipmunks.

Protect Yourself From the Sun

Mowing the lawn under the blazing sun can lead to burns and even sun poisoning. Make sure that you protect your body with long sleeves, your face and scalp with a hat, and your eyes with sunglasses. You should also lather on sunscreen before heading out. Be sure to check the bottle for how often you need to reapply the cream.

Put Your Equipment in the Shade

Equipment becomes hotter as it operates, and it can reach dangerously high temperatures if it’s left in the heat. To keep your equipment safe and avoid burns or even breakdowns, store it somewhere cool after you’re done using it.