NY Personal Injury Attorney: Spring Cleaning Safety In The Yard And On Ladders

When the snow melts and the ground thaws many of us can’t wait to get outside and start beautifying our yards. This can be an exciting time, but also a dangerous one. For example, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that between 2010-2012, 38,000 people sustained injuries using power walk behind mowers. The CPSC also reported that 34,000 injuries occurred using riding mowers those same years. According to a study by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, between 1990-2005 over 2 million people were treated for ladder related injuries. While there may be a rush to clean up your yard, consider taking some safety measures first.

Ladders

• There are many types of ladders so choose the right one for the job to prevent falls from ladders.
• Always place on a stable and level surface.
• Be sure the height is appropriate for you to avoid over-reaching to the point where the ladder is no longer stable.
• Do not stand on the top step.
• Use fiberglass instead of metal ladders near electricity.
• For every four feet of height, the ladder needs to be one foot away from what it is leaning against.

Mowers

• Wear shoes that cover your feet, no flip-flops.
• Never start inside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Keep children away when mowing.
• Check lawn and rake up and loose items like rocks and sticks so that they do not become projectiles.

Other Power Tools (saws, nail guns and weed whackers)

• Check for frayed wires.
• Wear eye protection and avoid loose clothing.
• Always unplug before and after use and never leave unattended.
• Don’t carry by the cord or unplug by pulling on cord.
• Never keep cords by heat, oil or sharp items.

Chemicals

• Wear gloves and eye protection when handling fertilizers and pesticides. Thoroughly wash your hands after applying.
• Don’t mix chemicals and keep them in the contains they came in.
• Store properly by what the manufacturer advises.
• Store gas safely in a UL Classified can.

Don’t strain yourself since you may still be a bit tight from the winter. Contact an experienced NY personal injury attorney if you have had an accident with outdoor equipment.