All lawn mowers have the potential to cause injury, but there are some special safety considerations when dealing with a lawn tractor or riding mower. Thousands of people, including children, end up in the emergency room every year with tractor-related injuries. Accidents happen in a flash, and it only takes one mistake or improper preparation to damage people or property.

The lawn tractor safety pointers and tips included here will help you understand the precautions necessary to protect you, your pets, and your children from potential harm.

Before you buy

Making the right purchase of a riding mower or lawn tractor is the first step toward safety.

• Buy the correct machine for the size of your yard and the way you’ll need to use the machine. For example, buying an underpowered riding mower for a hilly two-acre lawn is going to result in a higher risk of engine failure and rolling over.
• Look for safety features that stop the blade in dangerous situations, such as when you stand up or leave the machine; and locks to prevent the engine from starting if the machine is in gear.

Once you purchase a riding mower or tractor, your first responsibility is to read the owner’s manual. You need to be familiar with all the controls, safety features, and troubleshooting methods for your machine before you ever turn it on.

Before you mow

Every time you mow, you need to properly prepare yourself, your yard, and your riding mower/tractor.

Prepare yourself:

• Never mow barefoot. Wear closed-toe shoes.
• Long pants will help protect your legs, but make sure you don’t wear loose pants or shirts that could get caught in the machine.
• Safety goggles are a good idea, but at the very least wear ear protection. Continued exposure to the noise of the tractor engine can permanently damage your hearing.

Prepare your yard:

• Take the time to clear toys, rocks and other major debris before you mow, rather than having to stop and climb off the tractor several times during the job to move things. If there is something that you cannot move, make sure it is marked in a way that you will see it while driving, in order to avoid it.
• Make sure pets and children are in the house or somewhere else away from the yard. Lawn tractors do not provide a great deal of front visibility. Not only might you run into an animal or child, they might be hit by something the blade kicks up.

Prepare your machine:

• Check all guards, cables, belts, mowing blade, etc. to make sure everything is in working order.
• Fill the fuel tank. Never add fuel when the engine is either running or hot, because of the potential for an explosion.
• Clear built-up grease or yard waste (grass clippings, leaves) off the machine. Waste that accumulates on the tractor—especially around the engine or exhaust—can catch fire when the engine is running, or even after the mowing is completed and the metal parts of the machine are hot. Also, waste that builds up under the cutting deck or in the axles can make maneuvering and mowing difficult.
• Make sure the tire pressure is correct, because tires that are under or overfilled can undermine the machine’s stability, making it more likely to tip or roll.
• Clear the discharge chute, if you’re using it, and make sure it is pointed in a safe direction.

Safety while mowing

There are a number of ways to increase safety while you’re using your riding mower or lawn tractor. Some of these may sound like a simple dose of common sense, but they are included because of the number of injuries caused by failure to follow them.

• Do not turn the machine on unless you are in the driver’s seat.
• Do not start the machine in the garage, to avoid breathing toxic fumes.
• Never give rides to anyone on the machine, especially children. These tractors are designed to carry one person only.
• Do not allow anyone younger than 16 to mow the lawn with a riding mower or tractor. Make sure teens are mature enough to understand how everything works on the machine and why they need to be cautious when mowing.
• Do not stand when riding the mower or tractor.
• Do not mow in reverse. Yes it is a hassle to have to turn and mow everything in forward-drive, but too many things can go wrong when mowing while backing up. In fact, many mowers automatically disengage the blade when you shift into reverse as a safety feature.
• Exercise extreme caution when mowing slopes. You are much safer when you mow up and down hills rather than across them. Reduce speed, do not turn, and don’t attempt to mow a slope that is too steep for the tractor to back up. Beware of mowing slopes at all if they are wet, or if you’re bagging—the weight of the bagged clippings can easily cause the machine to roll over.
• Do not make turns at higher speeds.
• When backing up, do so slowly, and watch where you are going.
• Do not drive too fast when mowing uneven terrain. A bad bounce could throw you from the machine or cause a roll over.
• Disengage the blade when driving over concrete, pavement, gravel, or rocks.
• Do not climb off the machine until it has come to a complete stop and you have disengaged the blade and put the tractor in park/neutral or—preferably—turned it off.
• When you’re done mowing, remove the key. Do not store the key in the ignition, it’s too great a temptation for children.

A lawn tractor or riding mower can make caring for your yard much easier, but it can also be the source of tragedy when operated recklessly or maintained improperly. Treat it with respect, and remember to have your machine serviced by a qualified shop at least annually, before you need to use it.

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