
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – A First Alert to protect kids from lawn care injuries this summer.
Mowing the lawn is a routine task, but local child safety experts say it can also be a hazard around children.
The Center for Childhood Safety in Green Bay says every year thousands of people, including children, are seriously hurt due to using lawn mowers incorrectly.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says more than 250,000 people are treated in the U.S. every year for lawn mower-related injuries.
Kids and teens account for more than 10,000 of these cases.
Safety tips from the Center for Childhood Safety include:
- Maintaining your mower. Make sure you have it serviced regularly, and always turn off the engine before inspecting or repairing it.
- Wear appropriate gear. These include sturdy shoes, long pants, gloves and goggles.
- Keep young kids inside while mowing.
- Kids should be at least 12 years old to operate a push mower and 16 to operate a riding mower.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Remove stones, toys and debris before you mow.
- Remember to add fuel before starting the engine, not when it’s running or hot.
- Never leave a running mower unattended.
“Too often we see children injured in accidents that could have been prevented with greater awareness and caution,” the executive director of the Center for Childhood Safety, Kimberly Hess, says.
“Keeping children at a safe distance during lawn care activities is essential, and teaching older kids the right way to operate equipment can save lives and prevent traumatic injuries.”
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