There's nothing quite like the smell of freshly-cut grass. However, actually cutting the lawn is a task that many of us pass onto our kids! Mowing the lawn is one of the most common chores kids do around the home, but also one of the most dangerous.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, each year approximately 68,000 people are injured by power mowers and treated in emergency departments. More than 9,000 of the people hurt are younger than 18 years, and older kids and adolescents are most often hurt while cutting lawns as chores or as a way to earn extra money.
Lawn mower injuries include cuts, loss of fingers and toes, burns, broken and dislocated bones, eye injuries and can even be fatal. To prevent lawnmower injuries, follow these tips from info provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:
*Use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is let go.
*Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
*Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.
*Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins.
For more detailed info and tips on lawnmower safety, visit LawnmowerSafety.org.
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