Lawn Mower Safety
As spring arrives and it’s time to mow the lawn for the first time, I think it’s important to remind people that lawn mower accidents are all too common, with 85,000 people going to the ER every year for lawn mower-related accidents, approximately 800 children being run over by lawn mowers every year causing about 600 amputations and 75 people are killed every year (one in five of those are kids). Here are a few tips that can help keep you and your family safe this lawn mowing season:
- Wear proper clothing: While it can be tempting to work on your tan while mowing, it’s important to wear clothes that protect you from debris flying out. Wear sturdy shoes with good soles, long pants, and ear and eye protection. Lawn mower blades spin at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, and any debris thrown can fly quickly.
- Keep safety guards in place: While it might be tempting to remove any weight restrictions, disable the seat belt on riding lawnmowers, or remove guards, it is essential to keep them in place for your safety. The guards keep debris from flying out and hitting you, while the seat belt keeps you from falling off.
- Beware of slopes: Rollovers on riding lawnmowers are the number one killer of people in accidents. Try to mow up and down the hill rather than across it.
- Clear yard of all debris: Clear the yard of all debris, such as sticks, toys, rocks, etc, before you start to mow. While sending Osage orange fruit flying across the yard might be fun for the dog to chase, it isn’t very safe.
- Disconnect spark plug wire: Always disconnect the spark plug wire before changing the oil or doing any work on a lawn mower. This prevents any accidents from happening when the lawn mower starts accidentally.
A few minutes and care can prevent numerous accidents this mowing season. Stay safe out there.
Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.
Phone: (316) 321-9660
Email: callae@ksu.edu