According to a recent study, as many as 4,800 children are injured each year in lawn mower accidents. While many cases resulted in trips to the emergency room to treat cuts, there were also numerous instances of amputations caused by lawn mowers.
In this issue, we’ll talk about improving overall lawn mower safety for children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following ages for children operating lawn mowers:
There are a number of proactive things you can emphasize to your child that can dramatically reduce the chances of lawn mower injuries.
These include:
Wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops) as well as safety goggles or glasses with side shields as well as hearing protection while mowing;
While using a walk-behind mower, mow across the slopes, not up and down, to avoid slipper underneath the mower; and
With a riding mower, drive up and down slopes rather that across them (this prevents rollovers).
One final note: make sure your child completely understands these safety procedures as well as the thinking behind them. Until you’re sure your child is comfortable and capable of handling the lawn mower, you should be with them as they mow.
Learning to mow the lawn is almost a rite of passage in the U.S., but with mower injuries are so easy, safety is imperative.
For a complete range of services for lawn care maintenance and landscaping design, call us here at Juniper Landscape Company.
To see what we can do for your lawn, call us; our number is (619) 334-9464.