Must-Know Facts About Lawn Mower Safety

Posted On August 17, 2016 In Personal Injury

More than 274,000 Americans were treated for lawn mower injuries last year. Although we depend on lawn mowers to keep our property well-maintained, they can also jeopardize our safety. Adults and children can suffer broken bones and even amputations from lawn mower injuries. There are certain aspects of lawn mower safety that should be followed to reduce the risk of being harmed.

Wear the proper attire: Never mow the lawn barefoot or while wearing sandals. Lawn mower blades can spin at 200 miles per hour. For this reason, lawn mower blades can put people at risk for amputations and deep lacerations. Wear long pants and hard-toed shoes while mowing the lawn to protect yourself from the fast-moving blades. Also wear eye protection to shield yourself from fast-moving debris.

Clear the lawn before mowing: Pieces of debris hit by lawn mower blades are turned into missiles. Rocks, toys, sticks and other debris can travel fast enough to cause catastrophic to bystanders. Never remove guards and deflectors on lawn mowers, as they exist to reduce the risk of injuries caused by debris.

Keep children inside while mowing the lawn: A lawn mower accident last month involving a Texas boy serves as an important reminder to keep children inside while mowing. The 4-year-old boy was backed over while his father was mowing the lawn. Although the boy survived, he required several surgeries to his foot. Don’t take a chance. Be sure to keep children and small pets indoors.

Don’t add fuel while the engine is hot: Check fuel levels before mowing the lawn. Exhaust from lawn mowers can rise above 240 degrees, enough to cause third-degree burns. If you must, let the engine cool before adding more gasoline.

Don’t let small children use a lawnmower: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, only children 12 and over should use push lawn mowers. In addition, children should be 16 and older before using riding lawn mowers.

Be careful while performing maintenance: Always make sure your lawn mower is turned off before performing maintenance. Maintenance is an important aspect of lawn mower safety and should not be neglected.

Check for recalls: Lawn mowers are occasionally recalled for safety defects. For example, John Deere recently recalled 5,500 of its lawn and garden tractors for a defect that put bystanders at risk while the mower was in reverse. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website to make sure you don’t own a recalled model.

Be wary of electrocution hazards: If you are using an electric mower with an extension cord, never operate over water or wet grass.

On the Importance of Teaching Children Lawn Mower Safety

It is extremely important to practice lawn mower safety, because one mistake can have permanent consequences. A 12-year-old boy in North Carolina recently appeared on the news as a strong proponent of lawn mower safety. Eight years ago, the boy lost his leg in a lawn mower accident. He made some good points when he said the most people think of mowing the lawn as a chore, but don’t consider that it is also a dangerous activity.

If parents are going to require their children to mow the lawn as a weekly chore, it is important to go over the basics of lawn mower safety to avoid accidents.

The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC, encourage a strong commitment to personal safety.