HOME & HEARTH

Yardwork Safety Tips You Should Never Ignore

By Katherine Gotthardt

It’s a lovely time of year to get your yard looking the way you want or for maintaining it. For many people, that includes using lawnmowers, grass trimmers, weed wackers and hedge clippers. Though these tools are convenient and do a great job helping you keep the yard tidy and attractive, there are certain safety guidelines that should never be ignored.

Lawnmower Safety

According to a report by Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, on average, lawnmower accidents are responsible for the deaths of an average of 90 Americans annually. And Newsweek reports non-lethal lawnmower accidents hover around 35,000 per year. About 875 emergency room visits are from lawnmower accidents every day. All this is good reason to practice caution when using a mower from the start.

Clear the Area – Before you turn on your mower, whether it's a walk-behind or riding model, check your lawn for anything that could become a projectile. That includes rocks, stray toys, sports gear or fallen branches.

Dress for Success – Even if it’s hot outside, skip the shorts and flip flops, and choose sturdy closed-toe shoes with good traction and long pants to protect your legs.

Protect Children and Pets – Keep young children and pets out of the yard while you’re mowing, and never let a child sit on your lap on a riding mower or tractor. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that children be at least 12 years old before operating a walk-behind mower, and 16 years old before using a riding mower.

Remove Obstacles – If a stray branch gets in your way while you’re using a walk-behind mower, don’t just bend over and pick it up with the mower running, because you could easily cut your fingers on the mower’s blade. Always release the mower’s bail lever — also referred to as the “deadman” control — so the blade stops.

Avoid Falls – To avoid slipping, do not mow the grass when it’s wet. You won't get a good trim with wet grass anyway; the blades tend to slide across wet grass instead of cutting it.

Take Caution on Inclines – Pay extra attention when you’re mowing on a hill. Refer to the manufacturer's recommendations of how steep an incline you can mow on safely. If you use a riding mower, drive it up and down slopes to avoid it tipping over and pinning you underneath. With a walk-behind mower, it’s the opposite: mow parallel to the slope, not up and down, because it’s easier to control the mower when you're not struggling to push it up an incline. Maintain Your Mower – Good maintenance is key to keeping your mower functioning properly. If you are not having your mower professionally serviced, when performing maintenance on your mower, be sure to wear heavy-duty work gloves, work on your mower only when it’s turned off and the engine is cold and to only add gas when you’re outdoors. Your lawnmower owner’s manual will have other maintenance and safety guidelines particular to your model. Be sure to read and follow them.

Grass and Hedge Trimmer Safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that power lawn trimmers and edgers have caused around 4,600 injuries annually that required medical attention. So just like with lawnmowers, it’s safety first. Some of the rules that apply to using mowers are the same for using grass trimmers, lawn edgers, weed wackers and hedge clippers.

Wear the Right Gear – Although string trimmers and power clippers have a shield to deflect debris that might kick up, you’ll still want to wear gloves, protective eyewear, boots and long pants. All gas models and some electric models can be so loud that you’ll need hearing protection, too.

Check Your Surroundings – With trimmers especially, always check the areas you plan to trim for any loose items, such as toys, balls or fallen branches that can be kicked up by the trimmer. And make sure children, pets and other bystanders are at least 50 feet away from where you are working. If someone wanders by, turn off the trimmer.

Work Outside Always – Never start a gas trimmer in a shed or garage, where carbon monoxide exhaust can accumulate. It can be lethal!

Keep the Cord Intact – When you start a gas trimmer with a pull cord, make sure the trimmer is on solid ground to keep it and you stable. And if you’re using a corded electric string trimmer, keep the cord safely out of the way so you don’t trip over it and fall, losing control of the trimmer. Also take care not to accidentally slice the power cord with the trimmer.

Wanting a yard that looks pristine is a great goal, but not at the expense of safety. It starts with knowing how to use the tools safely and correctly. Once you have that know-how, go out and enjoy turning your yard into a place you can be proud of.

Social Media Director for Prince William Living, Katherine Gotthardt (kgotthardt@princewilliamliving.com) is an awardwinning writer, poet and author, as well as president of Write by the Rails, the Prince William chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. Learn about her work at KatherineGotthardt.com.

Making the Most of Prince William Living

Online – On Demand Are you an advertiser with Prince William Living or interested in becoming one? Now online, our publisher Rebecca Barnes will help you discover how to “Make the Most of Prince William Living.” Meet the people behind greater Prince William’s premier lifestyle magazine. Visit princewilliamliving.com/ lunchwiththepublisher.

City of Manassas Farmers Market

Saturdays | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Harris Pavilion 9201 Center St., Manassas The City of Manassas Farmers Market will be held on Saturdays at the Harris Pavilion.

Dale City Farmers Market

Sundays | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dale City Commuter Lot 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City Since 1987, Dale City Farmers Market, run by the Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation, has been at the forefront of serving Prince William County residents.

JuneHaymarket Farmers Market Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Haymarket Town Hall 15000 Washington Way, Haymarket Haymarket has added a farmers’ market on Sundays at Town Hall. Extraordinary Teens Celebration Thu. June 3 | 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sweeney Barn 9310 Discovery Blvd., Manassas The votes have been tallied and the winners have been chosen! Prince William Living is excited to celebrate “Extraordinary Teens” at our 2021 awards ceremony. Join us as we showcase our 2021 winners and nominees. Celebrate these local high school students who show excellence in their studies and in their drive to better their community. Purchase tickets at princewilliamliving.com.

The Power of Partnership

Fri. June 4 | 4 to 7 p.m. Harris Pavilion 9201 Center St., Manassas Join the Prince William Chamber, Virginia Hispanic Chamber and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber for an evening of networking, sampling cuisines from regional restaurants, and entertainment in partnership with the Historic Manassas, Inc. Event First Friday, when the streets in Old Town Manassas are blocked off for visitors to stroll!

First Friday Night Fires at Ben Lomond

Fri. June 4 | 7:30 p.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas Get outside and enjoy the warm summer nights around a campfire exploring the history of America's public parks. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, a picnic basket and enjoy beautiful Virginia nights around a campfire with storytelling, history, recreation and preservation. Masks are required when indoors and are recommended when outdoors. 703-3677872.

26th Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival

Sat. June 5 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Historic Downtown Manassas This family celebration of rich railroad history features model train displays, train memorabilia, specialty vendors and live performances. Take your love of trains to a new level by boarding the Virginia Railway Express — Static Train Display! There will be an engine and passenger car parked on the third set of tracks adjacent to the Historic Candy Factory. The display is free to the public and offers the opportunity to experience a modern commuter train firsthand. Occoquan Artisan Market

Sat. June 5, Sun. June 6 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. River Mill Park 458 Mill St., Occoquan The 2021 Occoquan Artisan Markets replace the traditional Spring Arts and Crafts Show this year. They feature many favorite craft show artisans and welcome new ones. The Artisan Markets will be held rain or shine.

The Lua Project

Sat. June 5 | 4 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas Lua Project invites the whole family to experience “Mexilachian Music,” the joyful confluence of original and traditional music from Mexico, Appalachia and the Atlantic basin, featuring eclectic musical styles across cultures and times for its outdoor Hylton on the Hill performance. Tickets: hyltoncenter.org.

Women’s Wedding Network

Wed. June 9 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Online—Presented by Brides & Weddings Magazine The wedding industry is filled with tons of great people who are helping to bring dreams to reality. Have you worked with them? If you would like to meet others in the wedding industry, then join us at the next Women’s Wedding Network. Register: bridesandweddings.com.

Honoring Local Heroes Car Show

Sat. June 12 | 9 a.m. to noon Juke Box Diner 8637 Sudley Rd., Manassas This fundraising car/bike show honors local fire and police heroes. All bikes welcome.

Taste of Woodbridge

Sat. June 12 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center 15201 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge

The 5th Annual Taste of Woodbridge is Prince William County’s SPRING INTO SUMMER ”Feast-ival” and premiere event! Come for food, family, fun, fitness and more!

Fan Wreath Workshop

Sat. June 12 | 3 to 6 p.m. Hitchcock Paper Company 125 Mill St., Occoquan Learn how to make a fan wreath for any occasion! Pick your scrapbook paper or book page style and get step-by-step instructions on how to create this. No previous experience or crafting skills are necessary for this workshop. It is designed for both beginners and skilled crafters.

The Rock-a-Sonics

Sat. June 12 | 4 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas Slip into your blue suede shoes and travel back in time to 1957 when the King was perfecting his lip snarl and hip swivel. The Rock-A-Sonics play a versatile mix of oldschool Rockabilly, vintage country, and piano-pounding rock ‘n’ roll. Get ready to dance on the hill (in your own seating circle, of course) with The Rock-A-Sonics. Tickets: hyltoncenter.org. Museum Kids Monday!

Mon. June 14 | 10 to 11 a.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas Bring your child to Ben Lomond this summer to explore history through sight, sound, smell and touch with hands-on activities and crafts. Topics vary each month and will include subjects such as archaeology, plants and 19th century toys. Adult must stay to participate with children.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra

Thurs. June 17 | 7:15 p.m. Virtual — Provided by Hylton Performing Arts Center Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra invites the audience to meet (or re-meet) the orchestra as it tells its story through music and spoken word. OBCO will perform Mozart's "Impresario Overture," the Third Movement of Haydn's "Trumpet Concerto" and the Second Movement of Schubert's "Symphony No. 8 - Unfinished." Spoken word narration by poet Olivia Hajioff, a member of the violin/viola duo, Marcolivia, will weave these three pieces together while highlighting the various sections of the orchestra and sharing the tale of this little orchestra that could … pandemic or not. Walking Tours of Prince William Towns: Batestown

Fri. June 18 | 7 p.m. Little Union Baptist Church 17150 Mine Rd., Dumfries Join local historians once a month this summer for a special walking tour of historic towns in Prince William County. For June, visit Batestown, a historic African American town that played a significant role in Prince William’s history. Tour will depart from the Little Union Baptist Church. Please dress appropriately and bring water, for portions of the tour will be off the trail. Call 703-365-7895 for more information.

Juneteenth at Lucasville

Sat. June 19 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lucasville School 10516 Godwin Dr., Manassas Come to Lucasville in honor of Juneteenth to learn about the celebration marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the south. Visit the one-room schoolhouse to learn about the development of freedmen communities and the progression of education throughout Prince William County throughout Reconstruction and the Jim Crow Era. 703-367-7872.

We Create & Foster Enduring Image!

703-670-7884 “Leak Detection Specialist”

Roofing • Repairs • Vinyl Siding Seamless Gutter Systems • Gutter Guards Replacement Windows • Skylight • Attic Fan

Guaranteed Quality Work Since 1985 3 Top Rated by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook

Licensed – Bonded – Insured E-mail: sales@FurrRoofing.com

Your PWPLS Digital Library

Audiobooks, e-books, music, movies, and more: all available on your devices, all free with your PWPLS library card.

pwcgov.org/digitallibrary

Never miss an issue.

Stay current on the people, places and events that make Prince William a wonderful place to live, work, and play. A subscription to Prince William Living keeps you up-to-date with everything our region has to offer.

For an annual $20 donation to Give Back Prince William (a 501c(3) non-profit organization), you can get YOUR community magazine delivered to your door!

Already get it? Make sure you continue to get it by subscribing. Show your support and help us continue the work we do.

Name ______________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________

City ________________________________________________

State _________________________ Zip ________________

Phone ______________________________________________

Email _______________________________________________

What type of subscription is this?

New Renewal Gift I’ve been getting it free and wish to pay for it.

Pay by check or online.

Visit www.pwliving.com/subscription to pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, or please include a check or money order made out to “Give Back Prince William” for the total amount to:

Subscription rate is $20 per year (12 issues), continental U.S. only. First issue arrives in 3-6 weeks. All subscriptions must be prepaid. Prince William Living ATTN: Circulation Department 9994 Sowder Village Square #816 Manassas, Virginia 20109

Steve lost 134 pounds, which was something. He also lost his diabetes and hypertension. That was everything.

Weight Loss Services at Novant Health UVA Health System

Obesity is, in every sense, too big a health issue to conquer alone. It’s a disease tied to complex emotional issues, and involves everything from family history to what you eat, to how much you exercise. Which is why losing weight and successfully keeping it off requires a team approach, including a primary care physician, dietician, psychologist, support groups and, if needed, a bariatric surgeon. Surgery takes planning, education and approvals — about 4 to 6 months on average. If you want a future that is healthier in mind, body and spirit, get started with our experienced team today.

Find out more at NovantHealthUVA.org/Bariatrics