(HealthDay is the new name for HealthScoutNews.)
SATURDAY, June 14, 2003 (HealthDayNews) --
About 75,000 American adults and children are injured in lawn mower accidents each year.
But many of those serious and life-threatening injuries can be prevented with just a little extra caution.
"A lawn mower definitely has the potential to become an extremely dangerous instrument when it's used carelessly or without the proper safety precautions," Dr. Marie Lozon, director of pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Michigan Health System, says in a news release. "Lawn mower injuries can be devastating to the patients and their families, so it's important to never take lawn mower safety for granted. The vast majority of lawn mower injuries are preventable."
Lozon offers the following lawn mower safety advice:
Adults using riding lawn mowers should never let children ride in their lap. Children riding with adults on the mowers may fall off and their feet, hands or entire body could be run over by the mower. Such injures often result in amputations or lifelong debilitation.
Children under 16 shouldn't operate riding lawn mowers on their own. But they can use a regular push lawn mower while under adult supervision.
Lozon says any time an adult is using any kind of lawn mower, children should be kept out of the yard and be in a well-supervised area. Almost 10,000 children in the United States are injured each year in lawn mower accidents.
Adults using riding lawn mowers should be aware the mowers may tip over while being used on slopes. That can result in serious injury to the hands and feet.
Before using any kind of power mower, make sure the yard is free of loose objects, such as sticks or rocks. These can be propelled out of the mower and cause face, eye and other injuries.
Safety gear such as long pants, steel-toed boots and goggles must be worn when using a power mower.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about lawn mower safety.
