Mowing the lawn can be one of the most dangerous activities you do this summer. It is important to know how to be safe when operating these powerful machines. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 20,000 people are injured each year from a lawn mowing accident. The most common injuries include those from projectiles, burns, falls, and even a loss of a limb.
Here are some tips for you to be safe when mowing the lawn:
- Do a walk through of your lawn before mowing and pick up toys or large debris that could get caught in the blades of your lawn mower.
- Wear appropriate footwear and long pants.
- Do not attempt to mow the lawn if grass is wet. Wet grass can get caught and clog up the blades in your lawn mower.
- Check your machine for damaging parts before mowing and make sure there is fuel in the tank. Only refuel OUTSIDE.
- Mow parallel rather than up and down a hill.
- Keep children and pets indoors while mowing the lawn to prevent the risk of injury.
Consumer Reports has the full list in more details.
Children and pets are at the highest risk of danger when using lawn mowers. Every year, around 800 children are run over by a lawn mower and of those 800, 600 of these accidents involve an amputation. Before you mow, make sure your children and pets are indoors and never let your child ride passenger if you are using a riding mower. Children under the age of 12 should not be operating a walk behind lawn mower and children under the age of 16 should not be operating a riding lawn mower . Be wary of this when kids and teens offer to mow your lawn this summer.
Be safe this summer and know safe mowing habits to keep you and your family safe.
Information from Consumer Reports and the Amputee Coalition were used for this blog post.
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