The Grass is Always Greener in Lawns with Safety in Mind
For many youths, mowing the lawn is often one of the first chores involving gas-powered equipment. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, every year in the United States more than 9,000 children seek treatment at an emergency department for lawn mower-related injuries. Hazards exist for both the operator and bystanders, including rollovers, runovers, entanglements, sharp objects, collisions and projectiles. Therefore, to lessen the occurrence of an incident, proper training and guidance is essential.
As parents, grandparents and other trusted adults, one of the first lawn mower safety lessons we can instill in children is the practice of preparing the yard before mowing. This first step includes removing any items that could be projected from the lawn mower and potentially cause harm to people, pets and property from items that may include balls, toys, rocks, sticks, etc. If you are familiar with baseball, you probably know that most major league pitchers can throw a ball 90 to 100 miles per hour (mph). Mower blades double that speed, as they spin at an average of 200 mph, allowing small pebbles or rocks to be launched nearly 100 feet (30 yards) with speeds reaching up to 180 mph.
Another way to keep safety at the forefront is by not allowing extra passengers on riding mowers. While it may seem like innocent fun, or a tradition you experienced as a child, it can lead to potential risks in both the present moment, as well as the future. For example, by receiving rides, a child may view the lawn mower as more of a toy rather than lawn equipment and not fully understand its purpose, function and potential hazards. This could also lead to children wanting to run up and approach an operator while mowing, leading to runover due to limited visibility.
Always ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn as a safeguard from the blades, debris, the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and hearing loss. Appropriate PPE includes boots (or closed-toe, hard-sole shoes), long-pants, long-sleeved shirts, eye-protection, gloves, hearing protection, sunscreen and a wide brim hat. Wearing a dust mask can provide additional protection, as they can keep small grass particles thrown into the air that may contain lawn fertilizer, other chemicals or potential allergens from entering your breathing space.
Finally, here are a few other tips:
Mow during daytime hours and when the grass is dry.
Never fill the gas tank while the engine is running or hot.
Always turn off the engine when clearing grass or debris from the chute.
Stop the mower whenever someone enters the area.
Use caution mowing around steep slopes or ditches.
Leave all safety shields in place on the equipment, as they are there for your protection.
Keep toes and fingers away from blades.
Role model safe behaviors around lawn equipment. Your child will be more likely to value safety if you do as well.
The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) offers age-appropriate, hands-on learning experiences to children and families throughout North America. Last year, more than 20,000 participants learned lawn equipment safety lessons at a PAF Safety Day through demonstrations and activities. For a glimpse at what these lessons look like, visit https://www.progressive-agriculture.org/paf-on-demand. If you are curious about when to allow your child to start operating a lawn mower, refer to the Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines (AYWG), which were designed to help adults assess a youth’s abilities and assign age- and ability-appropriate tasks to youth working in agriculture to prevent injuries and fatalities. For more information, visit https://cultivatesafety.org/work/.
The “Safety Day Corner” is a safety message by the Progressive Agriculture Foundation® (PAF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with the mission to provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for all children and their communities. Recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America, the Foundation’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program, has expanded its reach since 1995 to individuals in the United States, U.S. territories and Canadian provinces. For more information about PAF and its programs, visit: www.progressiveag.org.