Whether you use a walk-behind or riding lawnmower to cut your grass, you should be aware of some key safety measures. By following a few simple safety precautions and teaching your children to do the same thing, you can get the job done without injury.

Operators not seeing objects on the lawn before they run them over is a common source of lawnmower injuries because they quickly can turn into projectiles. Be sure to look for sticks, stones, dog bones, toys, and anything else on the lawn that could cause injury after connecting with the blades of your lawnmower.

Unfortunately, you can't see everything on the ground that might strike you while pushing or riding a lawnmower. For example, a tiny stone could strike you in the eye and cause serious injury. We recommend investing in a pair of safety glasses with a strap around the back so they don't accidentally fall off before you're finished mowing.

It's always good to wear steel-toed boots every time you mow. You might think your feet aren't at risk, but all it takes is tripping to make you lose your balance.

Make it a habit to check your lawnmower's gasoline level and fill it before you start mowing. You should check and fill the fuel outdoors for safety's sake and wipe up any spills immediately to prevent potential fire.

Small children are especially prone to injury when sitting on a riding lawnmower because the driver's taking one sharp turn can throw them off the machine. Having a child present also distracts you as the driver and may cause you to make careless mistakes you otherwise wouldn't have made.

Remaining vigilant about safety and teaching your kids to respect lawnmowing equipment will go a long way toward preventing possible death and disability.