Beware of this serious summer hazard
About 5,000 children get treated yearly for lawn mower-related injuries, according to a study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.
The research, conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, should bring a heightened level of vigilance for many parents.
The study showed that children under age 5 are most likely to be backed over or burned. Older children and teens are struck or cut by the mower or a projectile. In all, 8% of injuries required admission to a hospital. A child standing nearby or riding as a passenger on a mower was four times more likely to end up hospitalized than those operating one.
“We see quite a few lawn mower-related injuries each summer,” says Dr. Charles Nozicka, an emergency medicine physician at Advocate Children’s Hospital-Park Ridge. “Some can be quite serious, including amputations, as well as severe burns and cuts.”
Experts offer these tips to keep children safe:
- Children under age 6 should be kept indoors while the lawn is being mowed.
- Always mow forward to reduce the risk of backing over someone while moving in reverse.
- Watch for stray items like rocks and sticks that can become projectiles while mowing.
- Make sure the blade is off while traveling over gravel.
- Parents should train and supervise the use of any mower by a young person.
- Only children age 12 and older should push a mower, and only those age 16 and older should operate a riding mower.
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About the Author
Evonne Woloshyn, health enews contributor, is director of public affairs at Advocate Children's Hospital. Evonne began her career as an anchor and reporter in broadcast news. Over the past 20 years, she has worked in health care marketing in both Ohio and Illinois. Evonne loves to travel, spend time with family and is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan!
Oh for pity’s sake why do you insist on infantilizing children? Most of us over the age of 35 started mowing the lawn when we were around 8 to 10 (push) and by 12 for riding. How can kids grow up if they’re not given grown-up responsibilities and expectations?