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

READER SHOULD MOW LAWN SAFELY, SOLO

Question: My husband and I have one grandson, who is now three. With summer almost here, my husband wants to take his grandson with him when mowing the grass on our riding mower. I say this is dangerous. He reminds me that he did this with our kids years ago. Is this a safe practice?

Answer: I get this question frequently. The answer is simple: riding mowers are not passenger vehicles. Children easily fall off of the driver’s lap or shared seat, resulting in serious and even life-threatening injuries, including amputations. In fact, more than 68,000 people are injured every year by power mowers, many of them children. It is never safe to have a passenger of any age on a riding mower.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that children not operate a riding lawn mower until they are 16 years old. I would add that those under the age of 12 should not operate a push mower, either.

All drivers should take precautions when operating mowers, especially with children around. Get to know your equipment. Know how to stop the machine quickly in case of emergency. Many riding mowers have a feature that stops the blades if you take your hands off of the controls or get out of the seat. If using an electric mower, check before each use to make sure no wires have been cut or frayed by the blades. It is also a good idea to disconnect the spark plug wire whenever you have to reach under the mower, to make sure the engine will not start.

You should know the capacity of your mower to climb hills. Avoid slopes if you are not sure. Every year, people die in rollover accidents because they use riding lawn mowers on hills too steep for their machines to climb.

Keep children inside when you mow, since you will not hear much over the roar of the motor. If you are the only adult around, don’t mow. Children are very curious and are likely to wander outside to see what you are doing.

Luckily, almost all riding mowers are now equipped with “no mow in reverse” (NMIR) safety features that automatically disengage the blades when backing up. However, there are still mowers in use that predate this technology. It is always better to avoid backing up in a riding mover. If you absolutely must back up, make sure there are no people or animals behind you.

Teenagers often mow lawns in the summer to earn money or as a chore for the family. Take the time to train them on mower safety. Always gas up the mower outside, and never smoke when you are pouring gas into the fuel tank. Before mowing, clear the lawn of tree limbs, rocks and other debris, and always turn off the mower blade when crossing a sidewalk or driveway. Small objects can get caught in the blades and hurled out the side, potentially harming people or damaging property. Always make sure the blades of a riding mower have fully stopped before getting off a riding mower.

People operating any mower should wear sturdy shoes -- not flip-flops, sandals or canvas shoes. Many a toe has been saved by following this one rule. As a parent or grandparent, it is important that you practice what you preach. Always operate all machinery safely.

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.