Know Before You Mow
July 26, 2007
With all the rain and the heat recently, it's been hard to keep the grass under control. In fact, it's probably high time that you mow right now. But beware: there are over 260,000 visits to the Emergency Room every year because of lawn mower related injuries. Don't you be one of them. Dr. Mom has some advice before you rev up the mower.
Summertime and the grass and weeds are growing! Time to get out the lawnmower and get the lawn in ship shape. Many may remember days of mowing the family lawn or lawns in the neighborhood for a little extra spending money. However, this summer job can be a dangerous one for children and adults alike. More than 220,000 people, approximately 16,500 of them children, were treated in doctors' offices, clinic, and emergency rooms for injuries involving a lawn mower.
The most common injuries are deep cuts, broken bones, and amputations fingers, toes, feet, and legs, burns, and eye injuries. Many children receive serious injury or amputations because they were run over by the lawn mower or fall underneath it.
Most injuries can be prevented by following a few simple guidelines:- Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a riding mower
- Children should NEVER be passengers on riding mowers or tractors
- Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals
- Make sure children are indoors or at a safe distance well away from the area being mowed.
- Clear the mowing area of twigs, stones, and toys that could be picked up and thrown by the lawn mower blades
- Always wear eye and hearing protection
- Start and refuel mowers outdoors, not in a garage
- Mowers should be refueled with the motor off and cool
- Blade settings should be set by an adult with the motor off and the spark plug disconnected
- Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas
- Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and CAREFULLY look for children behind you when mowing in reverse