By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

READER'S SON -- AT ELEVEN -- TOO YOUNG TO MOW THE GRASS

Question: My husband and I have been arguing about whether our 11-year-old son should mow the grass. I don't think he's old enough for this chore. Are there any general recommendations you could make that could help us with
this decision?

Answer: Mowing grass is a summer ritual throughout the United States. Most adults consider it a drudgery and are more than happy to pass the task off the oldest adolescent, or near adolescent child, in the family. Nonetheless, I understand your concern. While mowing appears deceptively safe and easy, in reality, it is potentially very dangerous.

According to data released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2001, about 10,000 children are injured each year in the United States in mower accidents. These injuries are more common among boys than girls, and the injuries sustained by preschoolers are often particularly severe. Many of the injuries from mower blade contact require amputation of portions of the foot or toes. These injuries often require a number of surgeries to repair the affected region and, then, an extensive rehabilitation program to improve the function of the damaged appendage.

The federal government imposed rules several years ago that have made push-type power mowers considerably safer. New mowers are required to automatically stop the blade when the handle is released. There are also regulations that make it more difficult for the blade to strike an object and throw it back at the operator. These changes have reduced the risk of injury from thrown objects and the risk of being mangled by a moving mower blade.

Ride-on mowers and lawn tractors are responsible for more injuries than push-type mowers. A common type of injury from these mowers is backing over a small child who is playing near the mower. A number of manufacturers now employ NMIR technology in their ride-on mowers. This means that the blade stops when the mower is put in reverse. NMIR, therefore, stands for "no mowing in reverse."

So you can see, mowing grass can be dangerous. According to the AAP, a child should be at least 16 before he or she is permitted to use a ride-on mower, and at least 12 before using a push, or walk-behind mower. You didn't say which type of mower you had, but your son is too young to make the AAP minimum age in either case. When he is old enough to mow the lawn, I'd strongly encourage you to only use mowers with built-in safety features such as automatic blade brake and neutral-only start as well as NMIR technology for a ride-on mower.

Let me leave you with a few "Dos and Don'ts" about children and mowers. Don't let children:
* play in areas adjacent to where mowers are being used;
* ride with the mower operator or ride in carts or trailers
being towed behind the mower; or
* play on or around the mower, even with adult supervision.
Do make sure that you:
* Keep young children, particularly those under 5, indoors while mowing is being done; and
* Prevent injuries from flying objects, like stones or toys, by picking up these items from the lawn before mowing begins.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.