Children’s lawn mower injuries increasing, hospital says

Ann Arbor, MI – So far this summer, five children have received treatment at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital for serious lawn mower injuries – nearly twice as many as normal. Because of this, doctors at the hospital are advising parents to take precautions to keep their children safe.

Last year, nearly 17,000 children younger than 19 suffered lawn mower injuries, according to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “I’ve seen broken and dislocated bones, deep cuts, missing fingers and toes, limb amputations, burns, and eye injuries from lawn mower accidents,” said Dr. Peter Ehrlich, director of pediatric trauma at the hospital. “All of these cases have one thing in common, that they were all avoidable.”

To prevent lawn mower injuries, the Mott Pediatric Trauma Program suggests:

• Children should be at least 12 years old before operating any lawn mower, and at least 16 before operating a ride-on mower.
• Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
• Young children should remain indoors when lawn mowers are being used.
• Before mowing, pick up any stones, toys and other debris that could become hazardous flying objects if they come in contact with the mower.