As the weather begins to warm up, the familiar sound of lawn mowers can be heard throughout the neighborhood. It is important to be aware that lawn mowers can be very dangerous, and thousands of adults and children suffer severe injuries from lawn mowers every year. Fortunately, most of the injuries from lawn mowers can be prevented by following a few simple steps.

Preventing Injuries When Using a Lawn Mower

• Always wear sturdy shoes when using a lawn mower – not sandals.
• Always wear eye protection. Objects ejected by a lawn mower can cause serious eye and other injuries. Before mowing, pick up any stones or toys in the yard.
• Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.
• Do not mow in reverse. If you absolutely need to, always look behind you rst.
• Wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads.
• Make sure children are at least 12 years old before they operate a push lawn mower and at least 16 years old before using a ride-on mower.
• Have an adult supervise teens before they are allowed to operate a lawn mower on their own.
• As the weather begins to warm up, the familiar sound of lawn mowers can be heard throughout the neighborhood. It is important to be aware that lawn mowers can be very dangerous, and thousands of adults and children suffer severe injuries from lawn mowers every year. Fortunately, most of the injuries from lawn mowers can be prevented by following a few simple steps.

Keeping Family and Friends Safe

• Make sure children and family members go inside while you mow the lawn.
  • Injuries can happen to bystanders if the lawn mower ejects debris or if someone tries to approach you while you are mowing the lawn and you don’t see them.
• Teach children that lawn mowers are not toys.
  • Never let children play on or near a lawn mower, even if it is not in use.
• While it may seem like fun, serious injuries and even death have occurred when children are passengers on ride-on lawn mowers. It is better to keep them safe inside.
• Only refuel the mower outside, and when the motor is turned off and cool.
• When you are finished mowing, stay with the lawn mower until it has cooled o and then immediately put it away.
  • Many injuries to young children are burns to the hands when a child touches a hot mower.

Content provided by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s

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