Why should a rake be kept facing down?

There are a few key reasons why it is recommended to store a rake with the tines facing downwards rather than upwards:

Safety

Storing a rake with the tines facing down is much safer than leaving them facing up. Rake tines are often sharp and pointed. Leaving them facing upwards creates a hazard where someone could accidentally step on the tines or brush past them and get injured. Rakes with metal tines can easily puncture skin if stepped on. Storing with the tines down removes this danger.

Prevent damage to the rake head

Leaving a rake sitting with the tines upright puts a lot of strain on the rake head over time. The weight of the long handle pulling down on the tines can cause them to bend, warp or even break off entirely. Storing the rake facing downwards keeps the weight supported and prevents unnecessary strain on the rake head and tines.

Keep tines aligned and straight

If rake tines get bent out of shape, it makes the rake much less effective at gathering leaves, grass and debris. Storing with the tines facing upwards often leads to them getting bumped and bent. Keeping it facing downwards ensures the tines remain straight and aligned for optimal raking ability.

Prevent rusting

Any moisture that collects on metal rake tines while they are facing upwards can more easily seep down into the joints and bolts, promoting rust and corrosion over time. Storing facing down allows moisture to drain off the tines rather than collecting and damaging the rake head.

Keep dirt and debris out

Rake tines often end up collecting dirt, leaves, grass clippings and other debris when left facing upwards. Gravity pulls all this material down into the joints and mechanisms of the rake head. Storing with the tines facing down prevents this buildup of grime that could impede the rake’s functionality.

Make it easier to hang up

Most rakes are designed to be hung up for storage by placing the head over a hook or nail with the tines pointing down. Trying to hang a rake facing upwards takes more effort and often results in the rake falling off its hanging spot. Storing it already facing down makes it simple to quickly hang up the rake after use.

Save space

A rake stored with the tines down takes up less vertical space than one sitting with tines up. This can be very helpful if storing in a crowded shed or garage where space is limited. Less chance of the handle knocking things over as well.

Looks more organized

Tools kept orderly and methodically sorted helps keep garages, sheds and other storage areas looking neat and tidy. Sitting rakes in an upright position looks haphazard and cluttered. Keeping them all facing down shows that care and effort has been put into organizing the space.

Conclusion

Storing a rake with the tines facing downwards may seem like a small detail, but it provides a surprising number of benefits. Safety, prevention of damage and rust, ease of storage, and an orderly appearance are all good reasons to take the extra second to place rakes in this downward position. Following this simple rake storage advice can prolong the useful life of this common yard tool.

Benefit	Description
Safety	Avoids injury from stepping on upward facing tines
Prevent damage	Lessens strain on rake head and tines
Keep tines straight	Stops tines getting bent out of shape
Prevent rust	Allows moisture to drain off rather than cause corrosion
Keep debris out	Stops leaves and dirt collecting in rake head
Easier to hang up	Convenient to directly hang rake with tines facing down
Save space	Takes up less vertical room in storage
Looks organized	Rakes neatly lined up improve appearance

Safety Concerns of Improperly Stored Rakes

Rakes that are left lying around haphazardly with their metal or plastic tines facing upright can pose a serious safety hazard:

Puncture wounds

Stepping directly on upturned rake tines can easily puncture skin on feet or legs. In some severe cases, the tines may even penetrate deeply enough to damage muscle tissue or tendons if stepped on forcefully.

Tripping and falling

Rakes left on the ground in yards or around the outside of homes can present a tripping threat. People can trip over the long handles or catch their foot on the tines leading to slips and falls. This can be especially dangerous for elderly individuals or small children.

Eye injuries

If rake tines suddenly spring back upright after being stepped on, they could strike a person in the face or eye area. Being poked in the eye by a rake tine could potentially scratch the cornea or even cause blindness.

Cuts and lacerations

Sharp rake tines can easily lacerate and cut skin if people brush past or grasp them. Severe lacerations may require stitches or other medical treatment to heal properly. Even plastic tines can sometimes have enough of an edge to scratch open skin.

Contamination

Soil, fertilizer, animal feces and other yard debris clinging to rake tines can contaminate cuts and puncture wounds resulting in bacterial or fungal infections. Rusty rake tines may also infect wounds with tetanus bacteria.

Muscle strains

Attempting to hang up an improperly positioned rake or catching a rake that falls can lead to wrenched shoulders, pulled arm muscles, strained backs and other injuries.

Proper Rake Storage Guidelines

Follow these basic guidelines to properly store rakes in a safe and organized manner:

• Always place rakes with the tines facing straight down towards the ground.
• Hang rakes by hanging the head on a sturdy hook or nail, not leaning against a wall.
• Store rakes in a protected area like a shed or garage, not just leaning against the exterior of the house.
• Consider using a sturdy rake hanger stand or basket to keep them neat.
• Keep rakes far away from children’s play areas and high traffic zones.
• Regularly inspect rake tines and sand down or file any rough edges.
• Periodically clean rakes to remove clinging dirt or grime.
• Fix or replace any damaged or missing tines.
• Buy rakes with safety tines or foot friendly handle guards.
• Wear shoes and watch your step when walking in areas where rakes are used.

Statistics on Rake Injuries

While national statistics are lacking, some individual hospitals and medical centers have reported on the frequency of various rake-related injuries showing they are a common occurrence each year:

Medical Facility	Findings
University of Mississippi Medical Center	– Treated 55 rake injury patients over 3 years – Average of 18 rake injuries per year
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio	– Average of 57 pediatric rake injury patients annually
Medical University of South Carolina	– 64 patients treated for rake injuries over 7 year study period
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri	– 71 rake related injury cases over an 11 year span

These studies confirm that improperly stored rakes contribute to a significant number of preventable injuries each year, especially among children. Proper rake storage habits are an easy way to reduce these household dangers.

Comparative Dangers of Rakes vs. Other Yard Tools

A research study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine analyzed relative injury rates for different yard and garden tools treated in emergency rooms. Here are the study results ranking these tools from most to least dangerous:

1. Lawn mower – responsible for 70% of injuries
2. Trimmers/edgers – 8% of injuries
3. Rakes – 7% of injuries
4. Hoses – 3% of injuries
5. Wheelbarrows – 2% of injuries

While lawn mowers predictably cause more severe injuries, this study shows that rakes are nonetheless responsible for a significant portion of yard tool injuries. The risks associated with improper rake storage should not be underestimated.

Expert Recommendations

Yardwork safety organizations and medical professionals who commonly treat rake injuries have provided recommendations for avoiding harm:

American Society for Surgery of the Hand

“Storing rakes with the tines facing down can help reduce hand impalements and other injuries.”

Canadian Paediatric Society

“Always put away rakes by hanging them up or laying them flat on the ground with tines facing downwards.”

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

“Do not leave rakes unattended on the ground. Store them safely in proper racks or hooks.”

Following these expert guidelines to properly store rakes tines down rather than up is a simple and effective way to enhance safety around your home.

Real World Examples of Rake Injuries

To illustrate the harm caused by improperly stored rakes, here are some examples of injuries that occurred and were treated at hospitals:

Puncture wound – Age 4

A 4 year old girl suffered a deep puncture wound to her foot after stepping on an upturned metal rake outside her home. The tine penetrated fully through her shoe and lacerated her arch. The wound had to be cleaned and sutured at the emergency room to close it.

Facial laceration – Age 62

A man accidentally stepped on the tines of an upright rake, causing the handle to rapidly swing upwards. One of the tines caught him across the face, severely lacerating his cheek which required over 20 stitches to repair.

Ocular injury – Age 9

A 9 year old boy playing hide and seek in his yard ran across an overturned rake. When the tines sprung back upright, one struck his left eye resulting in inflammation, bleeding inside the eye and permanently blurred vision from corneal scarring.

Arm laceration – Adult

While trying to grab a rake leaning against her house to put it away, a woman accidentally brushed her forearm across the tines as it fell. Multiple parallel lacerations across her inner forearm caused by the rake required a skin graft to heal properly.

These disturbing real-world examples clearly demonstrate the danger of improperly stored yard rakes. Keeping rakes tines facing the ground can prevent serious and sometimes permanent injuries.

Conclusion

Rakes left lying around yards with their sharp tines pointing skyward pose a real safety hazard to homeowners. Improperly stored rakes can cause serious foot and leg puncture wounds, facial lacerations, ocular damage and other injuries when accidentally stepped on or brushed against. Keeping rakes stored with their tines facing downwards eliminates these risks and is the recommended safe practice.

Other advantages of proper rake storage include preventing damage to the rake itself, keeping the tines aligned, preventing rust, and creating an organized appearance. Taking a few seconds to place rakes facing down not only enhances safety, but also extends the useful life of this essential yard care tool.

Hospitals report hundreds of rake-related injuries each year, especially among children. Medical experts advise that correctly storing rakes tines down is vital for reducing these preventable rake accidents. The minimal effort required to properly store rakes is small in comparison to the pain and costs of the injuries they may inflict.