Mow With Safety in Mind

• Tweet
• Pin It

Before you get ready to cut your grass, remember lawn mowers can pose a significant injury risk, experts say.

In 2010, more than 250,000 people in the United States were treated for lawn mower-related injuries, a 3 percent increase from 2009, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. And children younger than 19 accounted for 17,000 of the lawn mower-related injuries in 2010.

There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of such injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.

Read the instruction manual, keep your lawn mower in good working order and have it serviced before you start using it this season. Be certain the motor is off before inspecting or repairing a lawn mower, and use a stick or broom handle — not your hands or feet — to remove debris from the machine.

Do not remove safety devices, shields, guards or switches from a lawn mower. Add fuel before starting the engine, not when it is running or hot. And never leave a lawn mower unattended when it is running.

When mowing, wear gloves, goggles, sturdy shoes and long pants. Don’t drink alcoholic beverages before mowing. Check for and remove stones, toys and other objects from the lawn before mowing. Mow across slopes when using a push mower and mow up and down slopes when using a riding mower. Do not cut wet grass.

Teach children to stay away from running lawn mowers, and never allow them to play or be in the area when a mower is in use. Do not let children ride as passengers on mowers. Children should be at least 12 years old before operating a push mower, and 16 years old before operating a riding mower.

More information

West Virginia University has more about lawn mower safety.

Source: HealthDay

Copyright © 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

• Tweet
• Pin It