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

READER SHOULD NOT LET GRANDKIDS RIDE ON HIS LAWN MOWER

Question: I read an article in our paper about a young child injured by a riding mower. Does this happen often? What can be done about these injuries? Should I go back to a push mower now that I am a grandfather, to keep my grandchildren safe? The little ones really like riding with me while I mow the yard.

Answer: Lawn mowers, both push type and riding, are involved in more than 75,000 injuries each year in the United States. Of those injured people, about 10,000 are children. Many factors contribute to these injuries, the most important of which is not following proper safety precautions. So safety education, rather than changing to a different type of mower, is probably the best strategy to keep your grandchildren safe.

A power mower, whether push type or riding, is the most powerful and dangerous tool that most people own. It should be operated by a responsible person wearing proper clothing and safety gear. Specifically, wear long pants, steel-toed work boots and safety goggles. This will help protect you from flying objects, and rotating blades. Power push mowers should not be operated by anyone under 12, and riding mowers should not be operated by anyone under 16. Some sources say no one under 16 should operate any mower. Be sure to train your children in mower safety and operation.

Clean up your yard before mowing. Never mow over debris. Flying objects can be thrown from a mower at over 200 mph. These projectiles can seriously injury people, pets and property. Keep people out of the yard while mowing, especially children. This can keep them out of the way of flying objects as well as prevent back-up injuries.

These back-up injuries are especially tragic, as they usually involve young children who are badly mutilated, crippled or killed. Adding to the family heartbreak, the driver is usually a parent, grandparent or sibling.

There is one safety feature that can greatly reduce, if not eliminate, these types of accidents. It’s called N-M-I-R technology. This stands for “no mowing in reverse” . . . and means that the drive shaft that turns the blade is disengaged whenever the rider places the mower in reverse. If you have a riding mower, make sure that it has this safety feature.

And there are yet other types of lawn mower-related injuries. The engines get very hot and can cause serious burns if touched. Also, the engine should be off and cool before refueling. A hot engine can cause a gasoline fire.

To summarize, I’d like to pass on a few “Dos and Don’ts” from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Don’t let children play in areas adjacent to where mowers are being used. Don’t let children ride with the mower operator or ride in carts or trailers being towed behind the mower. Don’t allow children to play on or around the mower, even with adult supervision. Do keep children younger than five indoors while mowing is being done. Do require that any child fourteen or older be given proper training before being allowed to operate a power mower.

I know that your young grandchildren are probably fascinated with machinery, as are most kids. I’d recommend, however, that you find some fun, low-risk activities to do with them and use your riding mower when they are not around.

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.