How to Protect Your Kids When You Use a Stump Grinder
Some kids are fascinated by machinery, especially if does a dangerous job. For example, if you're thinking about hiring a stump grinder to remove a tree stump in your garden, then your kids may be begging to help or to come out and watch the tree removalists work.
However, stump grinders are dangerous pieces of equipment. They have a fearsome blade. Also, when the grinder cuts up the stump, it throws wood chips and large splinters around it. Being slapped by a chunk of wood is painful enough; if the wood is sharp or pointed, it can cause real damage.
How can you protect your kids while you're grinding the stump?
Keep Young Kids in the House
You can't keep an eye on young kids while you're using a grinder. This makes things less safe for you as well. If you have to watch your kids, then you can't focus on the grinder and the job.
If your kids need supervision, and you worry about them running around the garden while you work, then keep them indoors. They can always watch from a window.
Keep Older Kids at a Distance
If your kids are sensible enough to do what you tell them reliably, then they could come out into the garden and watch. You should, however, keep them at a safe distance.
Your kids need to be far enough away from the stump not to get hit by flying bits of wood. Make sure to tell them where they should stay and where they shouldn't go.
Give Teens Protection
If your teenager wants to watch more closely, then this may be okay if they are sensible. However, you must make sure they are protected. The closer you are to the grinder when it works, the more risk there is that you get hurt.
For example, make sure your teen wears the following items:
- Protective goggles or glasses to protect their eyes from wood chips and dust.
- Thick gloves to protect their hands from splinters if they tidy up chips.
- Clothes that cover their arms and legs completely to protect them from flying splinters.
Remember, you need this kind of protection as well when you operate the grinder. If you haven't used one before, and are a bit worried about general safety, then you can always skip the hire and get a professional company to do the job. Talk to local tree removalists to find out more.