Lawn Mowers Send 13 Kids To The Emergency Room A Day

With the summer season just around the corner, lawn mowers will soon be ubiquitous in every suburban neighborhood. Parents should be aware that as common as these machines are, their dangers should not be discounted.

Around 13 children on average end up in the emergency room every day in the United States, according to a new report from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital. This adds up to about 4,800 injuries per year, a number that has fallen some in recent years but remains a serious concern for public health experts.

"While we are happy to see that the number of lawn mower-related injuries has declined over the years, it is important for families to realize that these injuries still occur frequently during warm weather months," said Dr. Gary Smith, senior author of the study and director of the center.

Most of the children injured by lawn mowers are not actually operating the equipment at the time, the study, published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, found. Those who are near the lawn mower or riding on top are four times more likely to end up in the hospital with injuries. Eight percent of those who go to the hospital have to be admitted, the study found.

The main injuries recorded were cuts and burns. Some parts of the the lawn mower can get very hot during operation and can cause burns when touched. Getting hands or feet trapped under the mower is also a common cause of injury; and sometimes, children can be injured by a riding mower going in reverse.

"Improvements in lawn mower design during the last few decades are likely an important contributing factor in the decrease in injuries," Smith said. "We would like to see manufacturers continue to improve design and include additional needed safety features on all mowers."

Parents, especially those with young kids, should research any lawn mower's safety features before making a purchase.

In a press release, the center offered the following safety tips:

• Teach and supervise teens. Children should be at least 12 years old to operate a push mower and at least 16 years old before using a ride-on mower. An adult should supervise teens before they are allowed to operate a lawn mower on their own.
• Kid-free zone. Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers, and children younger than 6 years of age should be kept indoors during mowing. Never let children play on or near a lawn mower, even when it is not in use.
• Before you mow. Pick up any stones or other objects in the grass. Objects thrown by a lawn mower can cause severe eye and other injuries. Put on protective eyewear and make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.
• While you mow. When using a walk-behind lawn mower, use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released. Always mow going forward. If you absolutely have to mow in reverse, always look behind you before you start backing up.
• Turn it off. Wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads

Photo credit: m01229