7 Simple Tips for Using Your Leaf Blower
The arrival of autumn brings with it the fall of the leaves. Lots and lots of that. Using a garden rake to clear your yard of dead leaves and other debris is backbreaking work, and when the leaf blower was introduced in the 1970s, homeowners and gardeners around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Cleaning up and cleaning the yard no longer has to be tedious. Leaf blowers, whether electric or gas powered, can drastically reduce the time and effort required to clear your yard of debris. They also have the added benefit of preserving the fragile floor surface if used correctly. In addition to removing and collecting leaves, people have also used blowers to clear grass clippings, remove matted grass, clear blocked rain gutters, and dry machinery.
However, all that power in such a compact device comes with a lot of caveats. It is important to follow some basic tips and guidelines to ensure proper and safe operation of the blower.
1 – Read and understand
Do not use the leaf blower without reading and understanding the user manual provided by the manufacturer. Check if the manual contains everything you need to know about your blower: technical specifications, safety guidelines and instructions for use. You should also read any other accompanying brochures and safety warnings on the box.
2 – Leaf blowers are not toys
Never allow children to use or even touch your leaf blower. This restriction extends to pets and other people who are not familiar with its operation. You are personally responsible for your blower and could be liable for any injury or damage caused by misuse.
Do not point a running leaf blower in the direction of people or animals. Always make sure bystanders, including other operators, are at least 50 feet away from you. Immediately turn off the fan if approached.
3 – Fit to work
Make sure you are well rested and energized before working with a leaf blower. If you feel tired, take a short break. It goes without saying that you should not operate a blower if you are feeling tired or ill, have recently taken medication, or are under the influence of substances that may affect your hearing, vision, dexterity, or reasoning ability.
4 – Wear appropriate protective equipment
Wear clothing that is sturdy, tight, and allows free movement. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry that could obstruct the blower. Always have your basic personal protective equipment ready: earplugs or earmuffs, goggles, mask or respirator (for dusty environments), heavy-duty work gloves, and non-slip steel-toed safety boots.
5 – Be considerate
See if there are any local laws and ordinances that regulate the use of leaf blowers. Blowers are loud machines, so try not to operate too early in the morning or late in the day. Be considerate of those nearby and do not throw debris towards open doors or windows.
6 – Quick inspection
Check if the leaf blower is in good condition before and during use. The throttle trigger should return to idle mode when released and the stop switch should come off easily. A quick inspection shouldn’t take more than a few minutes and could save you a lot of time and money down the road.
7 – Maintain level
Always keep your feet on firm, level ground when using a leaf blower. Do not use a blower while standing on unstable surfaces such as stairs, ceilings, and stools. For hard-to-reach areas, consider investing in nozzle accessories.
one last word
Leaf blowers help you get done faster and make your job much easier. Operating a blower may even seem like fun at first, since you are blowing air at flying objects. There’s even a sense of childlike satisfaction that comes from using a blower. But a leaf blower is not a toy, it is a tool, and a dangerous one at that. Blowing air may seem like fun at first until someone bursts an eardrum or gets stuck in the eye with something. Rules exist for a reason, and safety should always be your number one priority.