As droves of preteens and teens take to cutting lawns as part of their household chores or to earn extra cash, getting them to follow basic safety precautions is essential to avoiding severe injuries.

In 2006, more than 220,000 people — about 16,500 of them under 19 years old — were treated for lawnmower-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Often far more than minor scrapes and scratches, these wounds can be extensive — from partial lower-limb amputations to major injuries of the eyes, face, and hands — and may require care from a team of doctors, multiple surgeries, and significant recovery time and rehabilitation. But almost all severe grass-cutting injuries are completely preventable.

What This Means to You

To help you and your family avoid lawnmower injuries this summer, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) have teamed up to offer these important tips:

• Never let kids under 12 years old operate lawnmowers of any kind. Don't let kids use ride-on mowers until they're 16.
• Never let children ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.
• Never mow in reverse or pull the mower backwards. But if you absolutely have to, carefully look for people behind you first.
• Never let kids or teens adjust the blade settings — that's a job for an adult.
• Pick up stones, toys, and debris (like trash or sticks) from the lawn before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects.
• Keep young children away whenever a lawn is being mowed.
• Always wear hearing and eye protection, and sturdy shoes — not sandals — while mowing.
• Make sure the mower has a control that makes it stop moving forward when you release the handle.
• Wait for the blades to completely stop before crossing gravel roads or trying to unclog the mower.
• Start and put gas in mowers outdoors — never in a garage. Make sure the motor is turned off and cooled down before refueling.

Before kids and teens begin mowing, it's wise to:

• review the dos and don'ts with them
• show them how it's done safely
• watch as they learn to be sure they understand the rules and can handle the responsibility

Whether they're cutting a lawn or just sitting in the shed, lawnmowers can be extremely dangerous and should never be used as playthings by kids of any age.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: June 2007