Grass and weeds sprout quickly in springtime weather. A weed eater is one of the best tools for shaping the edges of your lawn and removing invasive plants. If you're preparing to use this essential piece of lawn equipment, consult this guide first for helpful safety tips. 

How to Safely Use Your Weed Eater 

1. Get Proper Footwear 

Weed eaters work by spinning a wire at high speeds, chopping off blades of grass and weeds. The sharp, fast-moving wire can cut deeply, so it's essential to protect your feet while weed whacking. Wear closed-toed shoes with traction so that you don't risk harming your feet or slipping on the grass. Further, pay attention to where you're standing as you use the weed eater to minimize any risk to your feet. 

2. Wear Long Pants 

You're bound to end up with cuts and scrapes from flying debris if you wear shorts while weed whacking. Weed eaters can easily slice through thick stems and small sticks, and these sharp items will cut your skin when moving at high speeds. Protect yourself with long, durable pants that can withstand cuts or scratches. Avoid short, torn, or holey pants since bits of debris can fly into open spaces and cause harm. 

3. Protect Your Eyes & Hands 

Flying debris also poses a serious risk to eyes. You should always wear safety glasses to avoid potential damage. The same rule applies to hands. Your hands will inevitably come into contact with some debris since you have to hold the weed eater as you use it, so protecting your hands with tough, durable gloves is a necessity. Gloves also help with maintaining a strong grip on your lawn equipment as you work in the yard. 

4. Allow for Engine Cooling

It's tempting to fill up the fuel reservoir immediately if you run out of gas during a weed whacking session, but doing so is dangerous since the unit will be hot. To avoid burns, let the weed eater cool for a few minutes before refueling. 

If you're looking for high-quality lawn equipment, turn to Southside Equipment. This Milledgeville, GA, equipment store carries weed eaters, riding mowers, generators, power washers, and more. Their knowledgeable staff members can help you choose the best items for your needs. See their services online or speak with a representative at (478) 452-5523.