BiO-Lancastar Farming, Saturday, April 6, 1991
GAP (Lancaster Co.) Each
year there are more than 60,000
lawn-mowing related injuries. In
almost all cases, the accidents are
preventable. All it takes is know
ledge about how a power mower
operates and understanding of
some safe mowing techniques.
In 1985, Briggs and Stratton, the
world's largest manufacturer of
engines for outdoor power equip
ment, developed the “Knowing
Mowing Safety Program.” The
90-minute course is taught at Red
Cross chapters and lawn mower
dealers throughout me country.
As part of this national focus on
mowing safey. Gap Power Equip
ment, on Rt. 30 in Gap, offers this
simple quiz on lawn mowing
safety.
See if you and your kids can cut
it!
QUESTIONS
1. Name three dangerous parts
of a power mower.
2. Name two safety features that
all mowers should be equipped
with.
3. As soon as the mower is
turned off, does the blade stop
mowing?
4. As soon as the gas tank runs
out you can refill it? (True or
False)
5. You should turn off the mow
er every time you cross a sidewalk
or driveway. (True or False)
6. How hot can a lawn mower
engine get while running?
7. When using a walk-behind
mower, always mow a slope or
hill: a. across the incline b. up and
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;
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Mowing Safety Quiz: Can You Cut It?
down the incline c. in either direc
tion both are safe
8. It is safe to mow over small
sticks and other items on the lawn?
9. It’s OK to let someone ride on
the back of a riding mower? (True
or False)
10. How do you safely mow
around a tree: a. Tip the mower as
you move around the tree b. Pull
the mower toward you periodically
c. Keep all four wheels on the
ground as you turn
1. Some dangerous parts on a
power lawn mower include: a. the
sharp cutting blade spinning
beneath the mower that can cause
serious cuts or lacerations, b. An
open discharge chute is where
grass is discharged, but it also can
shoot out other objects at over 200
miles per hour. c. Belts and rotat
ing parts can catch loose clothing
or fingers, d. a hot engine or muf
fler can cause severe bums.
2. Safety features which all
mowers should have are a dis
charge chute guard and a rear skirt
to protect against objects thrown
from the rear of the mower, c. a
retaining post to hold the spark
plug wire.
This wire always should be dis
connected when a mower is not in
use or being worked on to prevent
accidental sparks, d. A bail bar is
located at the handle, which, when
released, automatically stops the
blade or sometimes the engine.
Never tape down the bail bar!
3. No. The blade can take 3 to 10
seconds to stop spinning after the
ANSWERS
to
A “Knowing Mowing” instructor presents students with certificate i after complet
ing the “Knowing Mowing” lawn mower safety course sponsored by Briggs & Strat
ton and the American Red Cross. Some of the Important safety tips they’ve learned
are: never mow barefoot, never pull a mower toward you and always mow when
grass Is dry.
engine is turned off.
4. FALSE. Allow the engine to
cool for about 10 minutes. Gaso
line spilled on a hot engine could
catch fire. Also make sure the
spark plug wire is disconnected
when refueling. Gas spilled on a
J' a
spark plug can also ignite the
mower. And only fill your gas
tank 3/4 full because gasoline
expands when heated.
S.TRUE. Shut off the mower
when you cross a driveway or
sidewalk because a stone or
another object could get kicked up
or flung out of the mower. It's also
not good for the blade.
6. The muffler can reach up to
1200 degrees Fahrenheit
7. (A) When using a walk
behind mower, mow across the
incline to maintain proper balance
and footing. If you try to mow
uphill, the mower could roll back
ward over you. Mowing downhill,
you could slip and fall under the
mower. But remember to mow up
and down with a riding mower,
which is heavy and could slip
going side to side.
8. NO. Never mow over any
items on the lawn. These objects
could be kicked up and out of the
mower. Always clear the entire
yard, including sidewalks, and
driveway, or any sticks, stones,
debris, toys and especially pets and
other people.
9. FALSE. Never let anyone
ride with you on a riding mower.
They could easily fall off and be
run over or injured by the blade,
discharged objects or wheels.
10. (C) When turning the mow
er, always keep four wheels on the
ground. Tipping the mower
exposes that deadly blade and pull
ing it towards you can throw you
off balance.
HOW DID YOU DO? Ten cor
rect: You can cut it! Fewer than 10
correct: Don’t take the chance of
injuring yourself or others by
improperly using outdoor power
equipment
Before tackling any lawn mow
ing chores, enroll in a “Knowing
Mowing” course.
Gap Power Equipment of Gap
will offer the “KNOWING MOW
ING” classes on April 13, at lO
a.m. at Salisbury Twp. Park, Rt
897, in Gap (Raindate is April 20).
The 90-minute course is open, free
of charge, to anyone 12 years of
age or older.
To register, call Gap Power
Equipment at (717) 442-8970.