Northern Light Pediatrics-Newsletter

Exercise caution when using lawnmowers

Although riding on a lawnmower may seem like a fun, harmless activity for kids, about 9400 children receive emergency care for lawnmower-related injuries each year.

Most injuries involve wrists, hands, fingers, feet, ankles, or toes, and one-quarter of all hand and foot injuries result in amputation. Deep cuts, broken and dislocated bones, burns, and eye injuries also can occur.

There are many causes of these injuries. Passengers or those being towed behind a mover can fall off or get trapped under the device. In addition, high-speed blades can eject an object up to 100 mph. The operator might attempt to unclog the blades using hands or feet, or the operator or bystanders could be wearing open-toed shoes or sandals, which is dangerous around the blades.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following lawnmower safety guidelines:

Avoid pulling a mower backwards or mowing in reverse, but if it is necessary, make sure no children are behind you.
Do not allow children to play in or around areas where lawnmowers are being used or stored, and keep children under 6 years of age indoors during mowing.
Since children tend to be attracted to mowers in use, be aware of where children are at all times while using the mower.
Children should not be allowed to ride as passengers on mowers, nor should they be towed behind in carts or trailers.
Children should be at least 12 years of age to use a walk-behind power mower or hand mower and at least 16 years of age to use a riding lawnmower. They should be trained in mower operation and safety, and be supervised by an adult before using it on their own.

-Kari Bachmeier
2003 American Academy of Pediatrics