STATE Farm and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants everyone to be aware of the need for caution and responsibility when tending to lawns and gardens. CPSC has proven that nearly 400,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries from lawn and garden tools. One out of fi ve deaths involves a child.
CPSC recommends that the public take the necessary precautions to prevent injuries from outdoor equipment. They include:
- Dress appropriately for the task
- Wear long pants
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Close-fi tting clothes
- No jewelry
- Sturdy shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles
- Eye protection
- Heavy gloves
- Hearing protection
Before starting up machinery, remove objects from the area in which you are working that can cause injury or damage equipment.
Make sure that safety devices on the equipment are in place and functioning properly before starting work.
Never let a child ride or operate a garden tractor or riding mower, even if the child is supervised.
Keep children indoors and supervised at all times when any outdoor power equipment is being used.
Never assume children will remain where you last saw them.
Be alert and turn off the mower if children enter the mowing area.
Unplug electric tools and disconnect spark plug wires on gasoline-powered tools before making adjustments or clearing jams near moving parts.
Be sure power tools are turned off and made inoperable if they must be left unattended to prevent use by children.
Never work with electric power tools in wet or damp conditions.
Be sure that extension cords are in good condition, are rated for outdoor use, and are the proper gauge for the electrical current capacity of the tool.
Handle gasoline carefully.
Never fill gas tanks while machinery is on
Never fill when equipment is hot
Wipe up spills
Store gas in an approved container away from the house
Never smoke around gasoline
For further information on safety tips, visit either statefarm.com or www.cpsc.gov.
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If you suspect a scam, call the NICB hotline at 1–800–TEL–NICB.
For information about auto insurance and insurance fraud, contact your insurance agent.
( Published on May 16, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angles p. C5 )
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