Nearly half of the more than 50,000 lawn mower injuries studied were lacerations. Fractures and amputations were common, and the most likely to be injured were hands or wrists followed by feet and toes.<\/p>
That\u2019s what Denton hears most, he says, cuts on feet and toes from slipping.<\/p>
Based on that, it\u2019s pretty easy to see the danger lawn mower blades pose.<\/p>
Men were far more likely to be injured, the data says, and usually in the hand by rotating blades. Young children were often injured by hot surfaces or on their lower extremities.<\/p>
Researchers say this shows that when adults or older teens get injured, it\u2019s when they stuck their hands in to remove debris.<\/p>
Special Risks for Children<\/h2>
When the children were injured, it\u2019s from running out to the lawnmower when an adult was cutting. Or by getting their feet caught in the mower while sitting in the operator\u2019s lap.<\/p>
Children are especially at risk.<\/p>
A study<\/a> published in June 2017 American Journal of Emergency Medicine found out just how much.<\/p> Between 1990 and 2014, it says, roughly 212,258 children under 18 went to the emergency room for a mower-related injury. That\u2019s nearly 12 for every 100,000 American children.<\/p> Not all were injured directly from the lawnmower. Half of those injured, if not with direct contact from the lawn mower, were hit by flying projectiles.<\/p> It\u2019s getting better, but mowers remain dangerous. The injury rate dropped almost 60-percent over the 25-year study period. Still, the authors conclude, \u201cLawn mower-related injuries continue to be a cause of serious morbidity among children.\u201d<\/p> Safe mowing starts with the right lawnmower and the right safety features.<\/p> In 1982, a safety standard<\/a> for walk-behind power rotary mowers developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission took effect.<\/p> Ever since, those mowers must meet mandatory safety measures aimed at keeping hand and feet away from the moving blades.<\/p> The rule means mowers must be outfitted with certain safety devices:<\/p> This stops the spinning blades in three seconds when the operator releases their grip on the controls. If the operator isn\u2019t in control of the machine, the blade doesn\u2019t spin. That rule has some caveats, too, that result in further safety features. If the mower has a manual start only, the blade must stop without shutting down the engine. That is, unless it has a 360-degree foot shield or a pull cord at the top of the handle.<\/p> One must be installed at the rear of the mower to stop the operator\u2019s feet from slipping under the mower deck. These shields are strength-tested, the CPSC says. They either close automatically or prevent operation of the mower when open. Some mowers that catch clippings mean this shield must be removed. If that\u2019s the case, the mower won\u2019t start unless either the foot shield or grass catcher is in place.<\/p> All new mowers sold since the safety standard must come with a warning label near the discharge chute telling operators to keep hands and feet away from the chute. Those labels also have to show that the mower meets CPSC blade safety requirements.<\/p> So when can you delegate mowing to your kid so you can sit back and relax while they do the hard work? There are no legal restrictions or age limits, so it’s up to parents to decide.<\/p> The American Academy of Pediatrics<\/a> makes it simple:<\/p> Kids need to be both mature enough and physically capable of operating the mower. Take the time to properly train and teach them how to operate it safely. Make sure they take proper precautions such as eye protection and never mow in bare feet.<\/p> Supervise them while they work until you\u2019re confident they can manage it by themselves.<\/p> For a little extra training, Denton says the extension offers courses to middle schoolers every spring on proper and safe lawn mowing.<\/p> Once that\u2019s done, they\u2019re good to take over your favorite summertime chore.<\/p> What you do before cranking up the lawnmower is just as important as what you do behind it.<\/p> Denton\u2019s No. 1 piece of advice? \u201cJust don\u2019t be dumb with it.\u201d<\/p> He also adds some steps most people probably skip, saying that if you just filled up the gas tank, give it a second to evaporate.<\/p> Messing with spark plugs or other components can ignite those fumes.<\/p> \u201cIt only takes a spark to make a torch,\u201d he says.<\/p> Also, if it\u2019s the start of spring and you\u2019re cranking up the mower for the first time, take it easy.<\/p> Denton says it\u2019s common for people to throw out biceps and shoulders when they give the pull cord that first wrenching after winter.<\/p> The Mississippi State University Extension lists<\/a> the essential safety tips to check off the list so you start out on the safe foot:<\/p> Denton makes a special point about eyewear, especially for weedeaters or other trimmers.<\/p> He also recommends sun protection: a wide-brim hat and sunscreen, especially if you\u2019ll be out for a long time.<\/p> Once you\u2019re ready to go, survey the mowing area. Take note of the area you plan to mow and how you plan to mow it.<\/p> Make sure the discharge won\u2019t be turned toward people, pets, homes, streets or cars.<\/p> Is there any debris you can\u2019t pick up? Like a gravel path or driveway?<\/p> Ohio State University<\/a> says to make sure the mower is turned off and the blades have stopped completely before crossing gravel paths.<\/p> And when mowing, make sure you can always continue to push the mower forward.<\/p> Never pull a mower toward yourself, which can lead you to slip under the mower.<\/p> If you\u2019ve got check marks by all that, you\u2019ll be winning that flag football game and getting compliments on your lawn before you know it.<\/p> That big riding lawn tractor is the pride of your garage. It makes quick work of your yard and leaves it looking great. Denton says they\u2019re somewhat safer, too.<\/p> They keep you up off the ground and away from the blades, but that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re foolproof.<\/p> Riding mowers require some extra safety considerations. Here are eight things you should never do on a riding lawnmower, compiled from Denton, the Kansas State University Extension<\/a> and the AAP<\/a>.<\/p> Don’t: <\/strong><\/p> Lawn cut? Good. But you\u2019re out of the woods. You still have to get the mower back to storage, safely.<\/p> When parking the mower, make sure to lower any raised components that may pinch or crush unwary fingers later.<\/p> Stop the engine, remove the key and put it in a secure place. This will keep kids from hopping on top and starting the mower just like they saw you do.<\/p> Remove grass and debris. Clean and service the engine as needed. Lock up the storage room or garage, and you\u2019re all done.<\/p> Keep up with good preparation and operation, and you can be confident that each and every lawn mowing job will be successful and safe.<\/p> \u201cPay attention. Be aware of your surroundings,\u201d Denton says. \u201cJust pay attention.\u201d<\/p> Main image credit: Parker Knight<\/a>, CC2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mowing the lawn is the quintessential summertime chore. Parents and kids alike take to the front yard to get it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":15433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[9],"class_list":["post-15430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-2","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/father-child-mowing-lawn.jpg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Derek Lacey","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/derek-lacey\/"},"yoast_head":"\nLawn Mower Safety Improves<\/h2>
Blade brake control<\/strong><\/h3>
Foot shield<\/strong><\/h3>
Labels<\/strong><\/h3>
How Young is Too Young to Mow?<\/h2>
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/boy-lawn-mower-wikimedia.jpg\")
Lawn Mower Safety Tips<\/h2>
Lawn Mower Startup Safety Checklist<\/h2>
Riding Mower Safety Tips<\/h2>
![\"Riding](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/grass-lawn-wheel-escape-vehicle-backyard-1094878-pxhere.com_-681x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>8 Riding Lawn Mower ‘Don’ts’<\/h3>
Post-Mow Safety<\/h2>