If you're just revving up your lawn mower for the season, and hope your kids can take over the job, here are a few safety reminders from our friends at American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Children should be at least 12 before operating a push lawn mower, and 16 to operate a driving lawn mower.
- Sturdy shoes are a necessity. No sandals or flimsy sneakers.
- Always wear protective eye wear. Polycarbonate is preferred.
Once you're dressed and ready to roll,
- Start with a site survey to make sure there are no rocks, sticks or toys that can be hit and fly up at you.
- Don't let young children ride along if you're using a riding mower.
- Don't mow backward or in reverse, especially if you can't see what's behind you. If you're on a hill, travel up and down, not sideways.
- And always turn off the mower off before emptying the grass bag.
More than 234,000 people were treated for lawn mower-related injuries in a clinic or emergency department, or were admitted to the hospital in 2012. More than 17,900 of them were children under age 18.
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with health information for healthier living.
Source: www.nlm.nih.gov
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