Lawnmowers

Keeping your garden looking neat and tidy is easy with the help of a good electric lawnmower. But, beyond the obvious safety precautions you need to take to make sure the sharp blades don’t cause damage or injury, there are also electrical safety factors you should be aware of.

Which Lawnmower Should I Buy?

Best Lawnmower

  • The best lawnmower to buy is one that you purchase from a retailer you know and trust, like a well known High Street name. Avoid third party sellers on online marketplaces.
  • Whichever lawnmower you buy, make sure you register it with the manufacturer so if something does go wrong, they can contact you easily.

Lawnmower Reviews

  • If you’re buying online, don’t rely on reviews as these can be faked by unscrupulous sellers.

Lawnmower Safety

Whether you’ve got a cylinder, rotatory or hover lawnmower, here are out top tips for making sure you use yours safely.

Safety first

  • Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
  • It’s important to register a new lawnmower with the manufacturer so that you can be contacted if a safety notice or recall is required. It also makes it easier for you to return a faulty product or order a repair. To register any of your appliances, regardless of age, visit our Product Registration page.
  • Use our Product Recalls checker to find out if any of your electrical items have been recalled.
  • Check that your appliance has a UK plug; if it doesn’t, don’t try to use a UK travel adaptor. Get in touch with the retailer and ask them to fit a UK plug.
  • Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch. If you have fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping then contact a registered electrician to investigate.
  • Any socket you plan to use to plug in a lawnmower should have RCD (residual current device) Protection. An RCD is a life-saving device that protects against dangerous electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires. If you don’t have RCD protection in your fuse box for your sockets, consider using an RCD plug to protect you and your property from serious appliance faults.
  • If you have to use an extension lead make sure it is suitable for outdoor use, is fitted with a thermal cut-out and is fully unwound before using it.

Using your lawnmower safely

  • Be sure to remove any debris like twigs and rocks from the area you plan to mow before you start.
  • Electricity and water don’t mix, so avoid cutting the grass in very wet conditions or when it is raining.
  • If you notice a burning smell or any unusual noises, switch the lawnmower off immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer.
  • Always turn off the lawnmower at the socket when not in use – even better, unplug it all together.
  • If a fire does start, don't try to fight the fire. Get to safety and call 999 immediately.
  • Store your lawnmower in a cool, dry place; if it's damp, clean it off properly before putting it away.
  • If you are using an extension lead, make sure it isn’t resting in a wet area and that the cable doesn’t run through standing water.