Immediate action guide
Lawn Care Service Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a lawn care service arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Mower Thrown Object Damage
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the broken glass, dented siding, parked vehicle, or injured area.
- Stop mowing and keep people away from glass, metal, or sharp debris.
- Mark debris and protect openings from weather without reaching through broken glass.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the lawn-care company and the damaged-trade contractor, such as glass, siding, or auto repair.
Do not do this
- - Do not continue mowing until the yard is checked for debris.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Irrigation Sprinkler Leak
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the leaking sprinkler head, valve box, sidewalk, and foundation edge.
- Turn off the irrigation zone or controller and avoid wet electrical controls.
- Divert water away from sidewalks and the foundation using ground-level barriers.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call lawn care or irrigation service and report the zone and whether flooding reached the house.
Do not do this
- - Do not touch wet electrical devices, outlets, cords, panels, or switches.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Fertilizer or Lawn Chemical Spill
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the spill, spreader, driveway, lawn edge, drains, and pets.
- Keep people and pets away and leave product labels available.
- Prevent runoff to drains or water features if safe and dry.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 if exposure concerns you, then the lawn-care company for product-specific cleanup.
Do not do this
- - Do not mix cleaners, chemicals, pesticides, paint, or pool products.
- - Do not hose lawn chemicals into storm drains.
E4
Lawn Equipment Fuel Spill
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the fuel spill, mower, garage, driveway, and ignition sources.
- Turn equipment off and move people away from fumes and ignition sources.
- Use absorbent material if safe and ventilate without creating sparks.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for fire or strong fumes, then lawn care for cleanup and equipment service.
Do not do this
- - Do not start engines, smoke, or wash fuel into drains.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.