Keeping your lawn mower in good shape not only ensures a proper cut, but also ensures a safe machine so you do not hurt yourself.
Here are a few tips to help you keep on mowing safely.

Lawn Mower Safety Tips

Every year thousands of people injury themselves will operating a lawn mower. These injuries can be avoided by implementing a few basic safety practises.

Keep the kids indoors while you mow.
Several serious injuries can occur if children are in the yard while the mower is running. There's the risk that a parent might accidentally run over a child's hand or foot if he or she is playing too close to the mower, or if the lawn is wet and the child slips under the mower. Plus, there's always the chance that an object like a twig or a stone will fly out of the mower and strike the child.

When the mower's running, a parent can't hear the child and, in some cases with riding mowers, they can't see the if the child is behind them. Many of the mower injuries that occur each summer involve a child who has been backed over by a riding mower.
 

Riding mowers aren't built for two.
It may seem like fun for kids to co-pilot the riding mower with mom and dad, but in most cases, it's an accident waiting to happen.
Riding mowers are not designed for two people. They're unstable, especially on inclines, and if a child's on it with an adult, there's always the risk of falling off and sliding under the mower.

And although most mowers have a safety feature which shuts off the engine when the rider gets off or falls off, that same feature will not be activated if just the child falls off.

In any circumstance, regardless of age, no riders other than the operator should be on a riding mower. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents not to allow children under the age of 16 to even operate riding mowers, and suggests that no child under the age of 12 use a push mower.
 

Wear proper safety equipment
Make sure you have on proper hearing and eye protection, and that tyou are wearing sturdy shoes, not sandals or sneakers. In addition, don't forget to go around the yard and pick up loose objects in the lawn to prevent objects from projecting out of the mower. Also, remember to turn the mower off before crossing over gravel paths or roads, to avoid flying stones.

More than 22 percent of lawn mower injuries involve the hand, fingers or wrist, so always make sure the engine is off and the mower blade has completely stopped rotating before attempting to remove debris from the mower or make adjustments to it.
 

Read the user's manual before operating the mower.
Knowing how the machine operates will help avoid injury to both children and adults. Rremember that lawn mower injuries are completely preventable.

Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips

Most homeowners have a rotary-type lawn mower that requires periodic maintenance to keep it working efficiently and safely.
Use the operating and service instruction manual provided with your mower, and consistently perform the suggested maintenance.

Here are a few additions maintenance tips to keep you and your mower safe and happy.

When working on the mower, be sure the blade and all moving parts have stopped. When accessing the underside of the mower for inspection or cleaning, always turn it so that the air-filter side of the mower is up. Otherwise, oil will drain out into the air filter and the engine won't start. Also detach the spark-plug wire so the engine won't start accidentally.
 

Do Regular Engine Maintenance.
Keep spark plugs clean; and have an expert adjust the carburetor. Check air filters regularly, and clean or replace them when dirty. Use the gasoline and oil recommended by the manufacturer.
 

Keep the Blades Sharp.
Be sure to regularly sharpen rotary mower blades, which operate on the principle of a sickle. It's advisable to have an extra blade on hand so a replacement is available when you detect poor cutting. Shredded or brown tips of grass blades is an indication of a dull or damaged mower blade. You can sharpen rotary mower blades with a grinding wheel and file, but be careful not to destroy the balance. To determine which end of the mower blade is out of balance, put a nail in the wall and hang the blade from the hole in the center of the blade. File more off the blade on the heavy end.
 

Stop Excessive Vibration.
Excess vibration is an indication of a damaged blade, mounting, or crankshaft. Frequently tighten the blade and engine mounting bolts, as well as any other nuts, bolts and screws. Check mower wheels, bearings and axles for wear and lubrication. If there are grease fittings, check them every couple of months. Replace loose, wobbly wheels. Be sure to keep the drive mechanism on self-propelled mowers in good working order. Check belts and gears for wear and fit.
 

Keep Your Mower Clean.
After each use, clean the underside of the mower with a strong stream of water. The metal deck can rust out if residue builds up. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves and excessive grease. Check the grass-catcher bag for wear or deterioration, and replace when necessary. At the end of the mowing season, be sure to drain the gas and follow the winterizing instructions in your owner's manual.

To keep your mower in tip-top running condition, have a competent service person thoroughly inspect your mower at least once a year.

Spring Maintenance

Here are a few things to do in the spring to help you start your season of mowing on the right foot.

Clean or replace spark plugs - Remove the ignition wire from the spark plug before starting any maintenance, to avoid injury. Check the plug's electrode for corrosion and dirt. Clean gently with fine sandpaper, or replace with a new plug.

Check the oil before you start the engine. Change it at the start of the season and again after every 100 hours of running time.

Clean or replace the air filter. Unscrew the bolt that holds the air cleaner, remove the filter and clean it in warm water, or replace.

Check the blade - Replace damaged blades and have dull ones professionally sharpened.Rotary mower blades need sharpening
two or three times per year.Nicked and dull mower blades cause severe tearing of the leaf.
Always disconnect the spark plug when checking the blades.

Fill the fuel tank - If your mower won't start, the cause could be stale gasoline. Replace with high octane, lead-free gasoline tanked up to prevent condensation and water build-up.

Happy Mowing!