Last Updated on August 27, 2025 by The Insurance Pros

Michigan Lawn & Garden Safety Tips: Prevent Injuries & Accidents

Michigan lawn and garden safety tips infographic showing mower, gloves, goggles, boots, and fuel container for outdoor injury preventionOutdoor projects can be enjoyable, but they can quickly escalate into an emergency room visit. Approximately hundreds of thousands of people receive treatment for lawn and garden tool injuries each year. Use these Michigan-focused tips to stay safe while mowing, trimming, and landscaping.

Reminder: Keep kids and pets indoors whenever power equipment is running. Never allow a child to ride on or operate a mower, ever.

Dress Right: Protective Clothing & Gear

  • Long pants and long sleeves; close-fitting clothing (avoid loose items and jewelry)
  • ANSI-rated eye protection; hearing protection for mowers, trimmers, blowers
  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles (no sandals)
  • Heavy gloves for handling blades, trimmer line, and debris
  • Sun protection (hat, SPF) and insect/tick repellent for longer jobs

Before You Start: Scan & Prep the Work Area

  • Walk the yard and remove rocks, sticks, toys, and cables that can become projectiles or jam blades
  • Confirm all guards, shields, and dead-man switches are installed and working
  • Never operate mowers on wet grass; traction and control are reduced
  • Plan your path on slopes; mow across slopes with a push mower; ride-ons should travel up and down slopes

Operate Equipment Safely

  • Keep bystanders well away; stop the blade if anyone enters your work zone
  • Turn equipment fully off and remove the spark-plug wire (or battery) before clearing clogs
  • Use a stick or tool to clear debris; never hands or feet near blades
  • Shut off engines before crossing gravel, pavement, or paths
  • Store keys/batteries out of children’s reach when you’re done

Fuel, Electric & Battery Tool Safety

  • Refuel only when engines are cool; wipe spills; store gas in approved containers away from living spaces
  • Use outdoor-rated extension cords and GFCI outlets with corded tools
  • Keep cords clear of cutting paths; never use electric tools in wet conditions
  • Charge lithium batteries on non-combustible surfaces; avoid extreme heat

Prevent Strains, Heat Stress & Falls

  • Lift with your legs, not your back; split heavy loads or use a wheelbarrow
  • Take breaks, hydrate often, and watch for heat-illness symptoms
  • Use stable stepladders, never chairs or makeshift platforms

Michigan-Specific: Call 811 Before You Dig

Are you planning to install a mailbox post, fence, or garden bed? Contact MISS DIG 811 at least 3 business days before you dig so utilities can mark underground lines. It’s free and helps prevent serious injuries and costly damage.

External resource: MISS DIG 811 (Michigan)

Quick Checklist

  • PPE on: eye and hearing protection, gloves, sturdy shoes
  • Yard cleared of debris; guards and switches tested
  • Kids and pets indoors; bystanders well away
  • Dry surfaces for electric tools; GFCI in use
  • Cool engine before refueling; approved gas can only

More Trusted Guidance

For national safety guidance on mowers, trimmers, and outdoor tools, see the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Lawn & Garden Safety Center.

Related Michigan Home Resources

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