Summer Safety Tips from the Doctors Who Treat Lawn Mower Injuries

It's summer time again and as we turn our focus from shoveling snow to mowing the lawn, it's important to review basic safety tips before we pull the mower out of storage and fire it up. Every year, orthopedic surgeons see hundreds of thousands of cases of lawn-mower related injuries. So the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has asked people to remember a few basic safety tips when dealing with these potentially dangerous machines.

The AAOS reported approximately 210,000 lawn-mower related injuries in 2007. Regrettably, children were treated for over 16,000 of these injuries. "A lawn mower is not a toy and in fact, it can be dangerous if not used properly," said Lori Karol, MD, spokesperson for the Academy. "It's important to follow the proper precautions when using these powerful machines, including teaching kids to stay away from any and all running lawn mowers. Children should never be allowed to ride on the mower, even with parents." In fact the AAOS recommends that children under 15 years of age should not be allowed to operate lawnmowers and should be kept well away from the machines when in use.

Among the injuries treated at clinics, emergency rooms and doctor's offices last year were deep cuts and lacerations, sprains and strains, fractures, and severed fingers and toes, all due to improper use of lawnmowers. The AAOS says that the vast majority of these injuries could have been prevented by following some simple safety guidelines.

The AAOS recommends:

· To make sure the lawn-mower is in proper working order each year before using it, have it serviced by a qualified professional.

· Never remove safety devices, shields, or guards on switches.

· Don't add fuel when the engine is hot. Fuel the machine before starting it.

· Never reach into the blade area with hands or feet, even if the lawn-mower is turned off. Removing a obstruction from the blades can release tension and cause the blade to move with enough force to cause serious injury.

With proper safety precautions, mowing the lawn can be a safe and healthy way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors during the summer. Treat the lawn-mower with respect and chances are you'll stay safe at home instead of having to spend a summer day in the emergency room.

For more information on lawn-mower and snow-blower safety, visit the AAOS website at http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=283&topcategory=Injury%20Prevention.