Each summer, lawnmower accidents send countless people to the emergency room. Mishaps often involve serious injuries to the fingers, hands, and feet. Often caused by a moment’s distraction. Injuries may require a team of specialists and months of reconstructive surgeries. Such as replacing a severed thumb with a big toe.
Experts on using lawnmowers
Dr. Joshua Jacobs, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, said in an AAOS news release:
Too many people are injured each year. Because of lawn mower-related incidents. Many of us underestimate the damage that these powerful machines can cause. But it is imperative that we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our families from getting hurt by keeping up to speed on all safety precautions.
It would be best if you used Lawnmowers properly in order to prevent injuries.
Dr. Joseph Serletti, president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, said in the news release:
Lawnmowers are not meant to be toys and are certainly not to be used for joy rides. Most lawn mower injuries occur when the operator is distracted momentarily and injuries can range from fingertips to entire hands and feet.
Thomas McInerny, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said:
Every year at this time, children can be seen operating or playing around lawnmowers in unsafe ways. In thousands of yards, injuries will occur, and a beautiful summer day will become a painful occasion. We want parents and kids to be more aware of precautions to take so that injuries can be prevented.
Last year in the United States, more than 234,000 people were admitted to the hospital. Very often a large number of people are treated in a clinic or emergency department for lawn mower-related injuries. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Safety tips to use Lawnmower
The experts recommended people adhere to the following lawn mower safety tips:
- Only use lawnmowers equipped with a control that stops the mower blade if the handle is released.
- Do not allow children younger than 12 to operate a push lawnmower.
- Do not allow children younger than 16 to operate a driving lawnmower.
- Wear sturdy shoes when mowing the lawn, not sandals or sneakers.
- Remove stones, toys, and other items from the lawn before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects.
- Anyone operating or standing near a lawnmower should wear polycarbonate protective glasses or goggles.
- Do not pull lawn mowers backward or mow in reverse unless necessary. If the lawnmower is used in reverse, carefully check that no children are in its path.
- Be sure to turn the mower off and wait for the blades to stop moving before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, crossing paths or roads, or making repairs.
- Do not use your hands or feet to remove debris from lawnmowers. Opt for a stick or broom handle instead.
- Do not take children for rides on lawnmowers.
- Ensure children are not in the yard while a lawnmower is being used.
- To prevent a lawnmower from rolling over, drive up and down slopes, not across.
- Properly maintain or service lawnmowers so they are in good working order.
