By Susan Rzucidlo, R.N.
With summer here and many lawns and gardens in full bloom, many homeowners use power tools like lawn mowers, trimmers and blowers to shape and maintain their landscapes. Some parents view the task of doing yard work as an important way to teach youngsters how to help around the house and be an active participant in the family. But accidents and injuries around these tools can occur quickly and be deadly for adults and children.
Lawn mowers are the most dangerous tools around the home. Nearly 10,000 children and adults a year are treated for injuries caused by lawn mowers. Whether a child is actually operating a lawn mower or is a bystander, these machines have potential to cause bodily harm. Proper lawn mower maintenance coupled with proper operator safety can ensure that the grass is the only thing that gets cut.
Below are tips to follow to lessen the chance of you or your child getting injured when using yard power tools around the home this summer.
1. Do not mow, edge or trim in the vicinity of young children. They can be hit by debris or run over when the driver does not see them. Children under five years of age should be kept indoors during mowing.
2. Wait until your child is mature enough to use good judgment and is strong enough and coordinated enough before allowing him or her to use garden tools. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child be no younger than 12 years old to use walk behind mowers and at least 14 years old to use ride on mowers.
3. One seat, one rider. A riding mower is not for rides. Injuries occur to children and the driver when they fall off the mower and are run over or caught in the blades. Most injuries happen when the child is run over or backed over by the riding mower. Never allow your child to ride with you on or to be towed behind the riding mower. Children need to learn early that lawn mowers are not toys.
4. Store garden tools in a safe place. Keep them out of reach of your children, such as in a locked tool shed.
5. Only use power mowers with controls that stop if the handle is let go.
6. Prevent injuries from flying objects. Pick up objects from the lawn before mowing and wear protective eyewear.
7. Be sure that you know how to operate the equipment you are using. Make sure that it is in good operating condition. Do not remove guards or other safety devices.
8. Do not do repairs on garden equipment or mowers when they are running or plugged in.
9. When mowing on slopes, push mowers should be operated across the slope so your foot doesn’t slip under the mower. Pulling a push mower is also dangerous, as you can slip. Riding mowers are more stable when operated up and down the slope.
10. Wear steady shoes when working in the yard or mowing — no sandals or bare feet.
11. Never work with electric power tools in wet or damp areas. For protection from electrocution, use ground fault interrupters on extension cords.
12. Handle gasoline carefully. Fill the gas tank when the engine is cool and not in operation. Perhaps take a rest period at the same time. Store the gasoline in an approved container.
13. Remember to drink liquids and take breaks in hot weather.
For more information on keeping you and your family safe at home, play and on the way, please call the pediatric trauma program injury prevention line at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital at 717-531-SAFE (7233).
Susan Rzucidlo, R.N., is coordinator of the Dauphin County Safe Kids Coalition and the pediatric trauma program nurse manager at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
