Protect yourself, your family, and your neighbours by following these practical tips for power lawnmowers.

General Tips

• Look for the CSA International certification mark on electric lawnmowers. This shows that the lawnmower complies with the applicable standards.
• Know your mower. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Make sure all safety guards and controls are in working order. Look for these safety features: a rear guard to protect your hands and feet from rotating blades; a "deadman" control that stops the mower when you release the handle; and an "up-stop" feature to prevent the handle from kicking up when the mower hits an obstacle.
• Before mowing the lawn, clear away sticks, stones, wire, toys and other objects that could get caught in the machine or flung by the blades.
• Keep bystanders out of range from flying grass and debris.
• Wear clothing that provides some protection, including long pants, a shirt with sleeves, and firmly tied shoes with non-slip soles and hard toes. The more you are covered, the less likely it is that you will be injured by a spinning blade or thrown object.
• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in the machinery.
• Wear eye protection (such as glasses, sunglasses or goggles), and ear protection (such as expandable foam earplugs).
• Never cut the grass when it is damp or wet, or when there is rain or lightning. Wet conditions greatly increase the risk that you will slip, suffer electric shock, or clog the mower.
• Always mow in daylight, never at twilight or in the dark. Look ahead at least 1 metre (3 to 4 feet) to watch for debris.
• Make sure the blades are not spinning when the mower is on pavement, gravel or dirt. Flying debris can travel much farther and do more damage where there is no grass to act as a buffer.
• On sloping ground push the mower across the slope, never up-and-down. However, if you are using a riding mower, travel up and down the slope, not side-to-side.
• Shut off the mower before adjusting the cutting height.
• Shut off the mower before removing clogged grass clippings. If using an electric model, unplug it first. Always use a stick or long-handled scraper to remove the clog; never use your hands.
• Shut off the mower if you are leaving it even for a moment. Never leave an unattended mower running.
• Shut off the mower immediately if you hit an object. Check the machine for damage and do not restart it unless you are sure it is safe to do so.
• When using a push mower, always push – never pull. Otherwise you might pull the blade over your feet.
• Children under 12 years of age should never operate a power lawn mower.

Electric mowers

• If you use an extension cord, make sure it is in good repair, has a three-prong plug rated for outdoor use, and is the recommended gauge for the load. (See electrical cords.)
• While mowing, keep the cord well away from the blades.
• Plug the lawnmower into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to protect against electric shock.
• Unplug the mower before checking it or trying to unclog it.