Mowing the lawn can be a weekly ritual of the spring and summer months for many people.

However each year, nearly 80,000 Americans require hospital treatment from injuries caused by lawn mowers, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

 

The researchers also concluded that the number of injuries from lawn mowers is increasing, with the majority of injuries occurring in children under age 15 and adults age 60 and older.

The most common injuries were caused by strikes from debris, such as rocks and branches, propelled by the mower’s spinning blades.

“There is no reason anyone under 12 should ever be injured by a lawn mower,” said David Bishai, MD, PhD, MPH, senior author of the study and associate professor in the Department of Population and Family Health Sciences at the Bloomberg School.

“If we would keep the kids off the lawn when mowing and off the riding mowers we could greatly reduce the number of injuries each year.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no one under age 16 should use a riding mower, and no one under age 12 should use a push mower.

In addition to strikes from flying projectiles, the most common causes of injury for people over age 15 were non-specific pain after mowing and injuries occurring while servicing the mower.

The most common injury requiring hospitalization was fractures of the foot.

Based on the study results, Bishai recommends some safety tips to follow to avoid lawn mowing injuries.

• Wear goggles, long pants and close-toed shoes with gripped soles

• Clear the yard of debris before mowing

• Keep everyone, especially small children, from the yard while mowing

• People with histories of chest, back or joint pain should reconsider mowing

• Use care and wear protective gloves when servicing mower or changing blades

• Many injuries occur while lifting mower—get help if needed

• Never service the mower while it is running

• Mow only in good weather conditions—avoid mowing in high heat

• Do not use riding mower on steep hills or embankments

• Do not carry passengers on riding mowers or tow passengers behind the mower

• Do not allow children under the age of 16 to operate riding mower

• Store lawn mowers in area with minimal traffic and not accessible to children 

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