Keeping Healthy: Lawnmower Safety
By: Elsa Gillis
Updated: May 18, 2012
"Over 300 million dollars a year is spent treating lawnmower injuries. A
quarter of a million people are injured every year," says Dr. Frank
Dubeck of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
17,000 of those injured are children. In fact, the leading cause of amputation for children is caused by accidents involving the spinning blade of the lawnmower.
"Children under 16 should not operate a riding lawnmower and yet half of people riding lawnmowers allow 10 year olds and younger to either ride as passengers, which should never happen at any age, or to operate them," says Dr. Dubeck.
He says children under 12 really shouldn't be handling push mowers either. So you may want to check "mow the lawn" off your kids chores list. For people of any age, Dr. Dubeck outlines the most common dangers.
"Well one, you have this spinning blade that can shoot out a rock with more force than a 357 magnum...then you talk about riding lawnmowers - they can tip over if you don't pay attention to the hill, people run into things, run over things. And then the other area is the muffler, even after the things is shut off, the muffler is still very hot."
But Dr. Dubeck says with a little education, and attention, mishaps can be avoided. First, be sure to maintain your machine, don't wait till pieces break off and fly away. And don't turn off safety features.
"Today's machines have lots of what we call safety interlocks that if you're not seated and you get off, and don't shut something off, it shuts itself off," he says.
Anyone operating any machines should be briefed or educated about the safety features, how it operates, and know where the danger points are. Two more tips - don't wear sandals or loose clothing while mowing and always take the key out of the machine so curious children don't play around with it. This way, you'll get that fresh cut look and smell injury free.
17,000 of those injured are children. In fact, the leading cause of amputation for children is caused by accidents involving the spinning blade of the lawnmower.
"Children under 16 should not operate a riding lawnmower and yet half of people riding lawnmowers allow 10 year olds and younger to either ride as passengers, which should never happen at any age, or to operate them," says Dr. Dubeck.
He says children under 12 really shouldn't be handling push mowers either. So you may want to check "mow the lawn" off your kids chores list. For people of any age, Dr. Dubeck outlines the most common dangers.
"Well one, you have this spinning blade that can shoot out a rock with more force than a 357 magnum...then you talk about riding lawnmowers - they can tip over if you don't pay attention to the hill, people run into things, run over things. And then the other area is the muffler, even after the things is shut off, the muffler is still very hot."
But Dr. Dubeck says with a little education, and attention, mishaps can be avoided. First, be sure to maintain your machine, don't wait till pieces break off and fly away. And don't turn off safety features.
"Today's machines have lots of what we call safety interlocks that if you're not seated and you get off, and don't shut something off, it shuts itself off," he says.
Anyone operating any machines should be briefed or educated about the safety features, how it operates, and know where the danger points are. Two more tips - don't wear sandals or loose clothing while mowing and always take the key out of the machine so curious children don't play around with it. This way, you'll get that fresh cut look and smell injury free.
