• Be careful when shoveling into the cement mixer, while it's rotating. While shoveling sand, cement and gravel into the cement mixer, I have actually got my shovel caught and pulled away from me as it rotates and whacks me on the head. This has happened to me more than once, so be careful and tried to avoid sticking the shovel into the moving cement mixer.

• Make sure that your electrical cord isn't positioned around any water. Since you're going to be using water and electricity to mix your concrete, you should make sure that your electrical cords are positioned safely away from the water.

• Never add too much water while mixing the concrete. Excessive water can cause cracks and will remove some of the structural strength from the finished product.

• Electric cement mixers can be rented at your local rental yards for those people who are only going to use them if you times.

• After you empty the cement mixer, spray the inside mixing drum with water to clean off any extra cement mix. This will prevent it from drying around the inside of the cement mixer drum and accumulating more buildup during the day.

• When mixing concrete on hot days, pay attention to any cement buildup that could be drying on the interior or exterior of the cement mixer. During warmer days, the concrete will build up and dry faster than cooler ones inside and outside of the cement mixing drum.