Protecting children during summer activities conjures up thoughts of bike helmets, knee pads, and sun block. However, during the summer months, mowing the lawn can be as routine for some children as riding a bike and can be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken. In fact, nearly 210,000 people – approximately 16,200 of them children under age 19 – were treated in doctors' offices, clinics and emergency rooms for lawn mower-related injuries in 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports."Parents need to understand that lawnmowers can cause terrible devastating injuries to children's hands, feet or faces, which can impact the rest of their lives,"
-- Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a ride-on mower.
-- Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
-- Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals.
-- Young children should be at a safe distance from the area you are mowing.
-- Before mowing, pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.
-- Always wear eye and hearing protection.
-- Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.
-- Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.
-- Start and refuel mowers outdoors – not in a garage. Refuel with the motor turned off and cool.
-- Blade settings should be set by an adult only.
-- Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads.
"Parents want to protect their children from accidents and injuries. But every summer we see children and teens using lawnmowers in an unsafe manner,"
"It is our job as parents to prevent injuries that are common during summer months, and that includes injuries from lawnmowers.
Lets be cautious!!!!
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