Planning on using a pressure washer on your deck, driveway or other part of your home’s exterior this summer?
Please be careful. The power tool sprays water at very high pressure that can cause serious wounds and propel objects that can strike someone.
Tissue wounds from pressure washers have led to people losing limbs even though their injuries started out not looking very serious.
A pressure washer also can be an electrical hazard if it’s not used properly.
Make sure you’ve read the instructions outlined in the owner’s manual. And follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Always plug a pressure washer into a properly grounded receptacle.
- Keep all cords as far away as possible from water.
- Wear rubber-soled shoes, which provide some insulation.
- Never point a pressure washer at anyone.
- Don’t push or move objects with spray from the washer.
- Never allow a child to operate the tool.
If you get hurt, call 911 if needed. Then:
- Put pressure on the wound with a clean cloth.
- Gently clean around the area with soap and water.
- Pat dry and use an adhesive bandage or a dry cloth to cover the wound.
People with high pressure spray wounds “are urged to get medical attention as soon as possible,” the CDC says. “A medical professional might X-ray the injured area, provide a tetanus shot and antibiotics, or make a referral to a specialist.”
