Safety & Legal · Updated May 2026
Mower Safety & UK Legal Guide
Mowers are the most common cause of garden injury in the UK. A few minutes of common sense keeps you and your neighbours safe - and legal.
Basic safety rules
- Never mow in flip-flops or bare feet - closed-toe shoes minimum, ideally steel-toe
- Clear the lawn of stones, toys, sticks and dog mess before starting
- Never put your hands near the blade while the mower is connected to power
- Mow across slopes, not up and down (reduces the risk of the mower sliding into you)
- Keep children and pets indoors while mowing
- Don't refuel a petrol mower while the engine is hot
Noise regulations in the UK
There's no specific law banning mowing at particular times, but the Environmental Protection Act 1990 covers noise nuisance. Most local councils recommend: weekdays 8 AM-8 PM, Saturdays 9 AM-6 PM, Sundays and bank holidays 10 AM-6 PM. Cordless mowers (78-84 dB) are far less likely to cause issues than petrol (92-100 dB).
Children and mowers
The RoSPA recommends children under 12 should not operate any mower, and under-16s should not use ride-on mowers. Never carry a child on a ride-on mower - it's one of the most common causes of serious garden injury in the UK.
Storing fuel safely
Under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014, you can store up to 30 litres of petrol at home in suitable containers (metal or approved plastic). Keep it in a well-ventilated outbuilding, not in the house or an attached garage. Use a proper fuel can - not a random plastic bottle.