Lawn Mower Injuries

By Meghan Dunn, PT, DPT

The summer heat and almost daily rain showers bring the seemingly endless need
to mow the lawn. Mowing the lawn, along with other types of lawn maintenance, can come
with risk and danger of injury to yourself or others. Lawn mower injuries can be very serious
and devastating to your health.

Common Lawn Mower Injuries

Common lawn mower injuries include:

• Burns
• Lacerations
• Fractures
• Eye injuries
• Amputation of the fingers and toes
• Crush injuries

Many of these injuries can be prevented by using proper safety guidelines and being acutely aware of your surroundings.

Is it Safe for Kids to Use a Lawn Mower?

Teenagers and young children should be supervised when using or spending time
around lawn equipment. Many teenagers will welcome the opportunity to make summer
money.

Prior to using lawn equipment, make sure your teen or older child is aware of the
operation of the equipment, surroundings, and likelihood of small children in the area. It is
best to navigate equipment in the forward direction. If necessary, always check behind you
for the presence of vehicles, animals and small children prior to moving in reverse.

To avoid flying projectiles, be sure to inspect the area for debris prior to mowing.
Small rocks and other items can easily be propelled and cause damage to property and
others. These projectiles can cause glass damage to doors and windows, dents in vehicles
and possible eye or other bodily injury to bystanders.

Make sure to turn off the lawn mower blade prior to cleaning or emptying bags or
filters. Failure to do this can cause lacerations, deep cuts or even amputation to fingers and
toes.

Burns from a Lawn Mower

It is also important to remember that the equipment gets very hot. Avoid placing your
hand on the hot motor. Also monitor the presence of young children, who are more inclined
to reach out and touch equipment. In addition, it is a good idea to keep your equipment
properly maintained. This will help prevent malfunctions that often require close inspection
and can increase risk when performing on hot or running equipment.

The art of maintaining a pleasant landscape or large piece of property is a common
part of everyday life in our community. Making sure you are as safe and proactive as
possible can help lessen the risk of injury to yourself and others. Be sure to operate your
equipment with a keen awareness of others and the landscape of your setting, educate
teens or older children who share in the responsibility, and keep your equipment well
maintained, so that you and others can remain safe while caring for your property.

Related Links:

• Common Warehouse Injuries
• Gardening Injuries
• E-Scooter Safety

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