One of the most common queries we get is what to wear when you are using your weed eater. In this article, we will outline exactly what you should and shouldn’t do when trimming your garden. Some of these tips may be obvious, but it’s important to remember that they can, all too often, be overlooked.
Working in the Yard
Generally, the starting point is to use your lawn mower and deal with the task of cutting the grass. You can get the vast bulk of the job done but, as with anything in life, it’s the finishing touch which makes all the difference.
That’s where your weed eater emerges as a secret weapon. Prime it up and prepare to battle with all the hard-to-reach areas. While a mower is wonderful for quickly dealing with large areas of grass, when it comes to weeds and all those tricky corners, there’s simply no substitute for a weed eater.
But, before you do so…
What Should I Wear When Using My Weed Eater?
One thing to bear firmly in mind is that string trimmers are powerful pieces of kit. Some are heavier than others, but even the most lightweight models can be highly dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions. So, why take the chance?
This machinery can tear through thick grass and dense weeds like a knife through butter. Just think what it could do to human skin. Equally, weed whackers can cause debris to come flying up through the air, so safety concerns cannot be emphasized strongly enough. You don’t want to be dressed in shorts and sandals if rocks or pieces of wood come hurtling in your direction.
Clothing
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- Make sure that you wear long pants. You can buy protective pants if your budget stretches to it, but choose some nice, sturdy, regular pants if it does not. You’re operating close to the ground, so don’t risk wearing shorts, even if it’s a sunny day.
- Correct footwear is also important. Forget about sandals or anything with an open toe. Dedicated work boots are the perfect choice. If you do not have any boots, go for some strong leather shoes or sneakers. Think about soles with good traction, so you do not slip while cutting away. Make a sensible footwear choice: your feet will be in close proximity to the business end of the weed eater!
- Avoid excessively loose clothing. The last thing you want is to get your sleeves or pants legs caught in the string trimmer while in mid-flow.
- Think about how badly grass can stain clothing. Choose something old to wear or clothes that you don’t mind getting stained. Gardening is not the time for a fashion show.
- Wear some gloves. As well as providing comfort and protection to your hands, gloves will serve you well against the problems caused by vibration.
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Protect Your Eyes
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- Wear safety glasses. Bear in mind the above advice and think about what can fly towards you when you are edging your lawn. One-third of all injuries caused by weed eaters involve the eyes. Don’t cut corners when, for the sake of a few dollars, you can protect one of your most valuable assets: your eyesight.
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Safeguard Your Ears
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- Weed eaters can be extremely noisy, especially the electric models. Whatever variety you have, it’s well worth investing in some safety ear plugs. The tighter they are, the more protection you will have against ear-damage. These are not expensive, so don’t take any chances and buy yourself a set.
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Note: If you are not able to hear well due to wearing ear plugs, exercise even more caution than usual. It’s said that when we lose one sense, the others become more acute to compensate. Take advantage of this and use your eyes like a hawk!
Look After Your Skin
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- We tend to take care of gardening duties in warmer weather. Break out the sunblock and look after your skin. Use the SPF that is best suited to your complexion and consider how long you will be out in the sunlight.
- If your garden is insect-prone, slather on some insect repellent. Better safe than sorry. Some insects can carry diseases, so don’t take any chances.
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General Safety Tips
Now that you have the correct clothing in place and have protected your eyes, ears and skin, read on to find out what else you need to do to avoid accidents:
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- Remove any loose debris, like sticks and stones, before you get started. This will minimize the chance of anything zooming upwards as you work.
- When you start up the weed eater, do so on firm and flat ground.
- Warn people if they are too close to you. Let them know what a safe zone is – surprisingly, up to 60 feet – and remain vigilant. This is especially important if you have children. Keep pets well away from the action as well.
- Just as you should sidestep loose clothes, tie back your hair if it is long. Hair can easily become caught up in the moving parts, with potentially horrific consequences.
- Do not rush and overwork the weed eater. Accidents happen this way.
- They say that prevention is the best cure. This is particularly true with intricate machinery like weed eaters. Don’t let this tool fall into a state of disrepair. With proper maintenance, you can stop things like loose nuts and bolts from becoming potential dangers.
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So, take note of the above tips and you should have no problems with your weed eater. As with any mechanical equipment, sensible precautions and vigilance is required at all times. This way, you will minimize the chances of anything going wrong.
