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Using outdoor power equipment without proper precautions or training can be hazardous. It’s important to follow the necessary safety rules before using tools like a chainsaw. As we head into autumn, more people will be cutting back tree branches and stocking up on firewood. Fackler Country Gardens of Granville, OH, wants to teach homeowners how to use their chainsaws safely.

5 Tips for Using Outdoor Power Equipment Safely

1. Stand Properly

Get into the “boxer stance” before using the chainsaw. If you are right-handed, place your left foot in front at a 45-degree angle, with your right foot slightly behind. If you are left-handed, place the right foot in front. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and knees bent.

2. Watch the Saw

Both of your hands should be on the saw the entire time it is running. Do not take your eyes off the cutting bar. Wear safety goggles to protect against flying debris.

3. Plan Ahead

outdoor power equipmentMake sure you know where the bar will exit the log or branch. This ensures you will not hit your leg or foot as the bar comes out the other side.

4. Be Ready for the Saw’s Pull

If you are not experienced in using outdoor power equipment, the pull can be surprising. Prepare for this by knowing how the saw responds at different points on the cutting bar. Cutting on the bottom of the bar means the saw will pull you toward the log or branch, while cutting on the top of the bar will push you away.

5. Watch Out for Kickback

Kickback happens when the nose of the saw bar comes in contact with a solid object and is pushed away from it. This is the most common cause of chainsaw-related injuries. Avoid cutting with the upper half of the bar tip, called the kickback zone, against the wood. Homeowners are advised to use a reduced-kickback saw chain unless they have been formally trained to use the equipment.

Fackler Country Gardens is the place to go for all your outdoor power equipment needs. A trusted name in Mount Vernon, Granville, and Mansfield, OH, they have a large inventory of machinery including chainsaws, tractors, and lawn mowers. Call them at (740) 522-3128, or visit their website to learn more about their products and services.

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