DeKALB | Lawn mowers and weed-wackers and trimmers, oh my!

Residents taking advantage of the nicer weather and beginning to fix up their yards should adhere to the safety precautions of using machinery that requires gasoline.

Scott Love, assistant chief of administration for the DeKalb Fire Department, said the most important tip is to keep gas away from possible sources of ignition.

“Make sure the motor has cooled before refilling,” Love said.

If the motor is hot enough, it could possibly ignite the gas.

“Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the floor to ignition sources,” said Lt. Karl Froehlich of the DeKalb Fire Department. “Therefore, gasoline should not be stored or handled within 50 feet of pilot lights or igniters.”

After fueling up, be sure to start the machine at least 10 feet away from the gas can, said Mark Espy, assistant director of DeKalb Public Works.

Gasoline storage is essential and the fuel should never be stored in a residence, Love said. It should be stored in an approved sealed container and kept in a garage.

These tips don’t apply only in the summer.

“Gasoline safety is year-round,” Love said.

When using equipment, Love said to “never put your hands inside anything that has moving parts.”

“You should also beware of people in the area,” he said. “Rocks can become projectiles if picked up by a mower.”

It’s a good idea to walk the area about to be mowed and check for foreign objects such as broken bottles, Espy said.

When using machinery, Espy said to wear safety glasses and hearing protection.