CHICAGO – Many parents may be planning to hand over lawn mower duty to their children this summer; however, this routine task can be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken. More than 220,000 people – approximately 16,500 of them children under age 19 – were treated in doctors’ offices, clinics and emergency rooms for lawn mower-related injuries in 2006, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.
To help prevent injuries, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have teamed up to educate parents, adults and children about the importance of lawn mower safety during National Safety Month, June 2007.
“Having been in practice for almost 25 years, it never ceases to amaze me how our emergency rooms continue to see the devastating injuries that lawn mowers can cause,” said ASRM President Lawrence Colen, MD. “Most, if not all, of the injuries seen are preventable. Partial lower limb amputations, facial/eye injuries and mutilating hand trauma caused by these machines can change the lives of the afflicted forever.”
“Lawn mowers can be dangerous if not used properly,” said AAOS President Jim Beaty, MD. “It is important to follow a few simple safety tips to prevent injuries from occurring.”
The ASRM, AAOS, ASPS and AAP offer the following tips to help prevent lawn mower-related injuries:
- Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a ride-on mower.
- Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
- Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals.
- Young children should be at a safe distance from the area you are mowing.
- Before mowing, pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.
- Always wear eye and hearing protection.
- Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.
- Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.
- Start and refuel mowers outdoors – not in a garage. Refuel with the motor turned off and cool.
- Blade settings should be set by an adult only.
- Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads.
Many lawn mower-related injuries require a team of physicians from various specialties to properly repair them. Often, patients must endure painful reconstructive operations to restore form and function.
“Many people don’t realize how extensive lawn mower-related injuries can be – they can really take a toll on families,” said ASPS President Roxanne Guy, MD. “Physicians in plastic surgery, microsurgery, pediatric surgery, and orthopaedics often repair these injuries which may involve multiple surgeries, significant recovery time and rehabilitation. As the physicians called to treat these injuries, it is important for us to provide parents with information to help keep kids safe this lawn mowing season.”
“Lawn mowers severely injure thousands of children every year,” said AAP President Jay E. Berkelhamer, MD, FAAP. “So many of these tragic injuries could have been prevented with just a few simple precautions.”
The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery is a not-for-profit organization consisting primarly of orthopaedic and plastic surgeons that perform microneurovascular surgery and other complex reconstructions. With more than 500 members, the ASRM mission is to promote, encourage and advance the art and science of reconstructive microsurgery and other complex reconstructions. The ASRM serves as a forum for teaching, research and free discussion of reconstructive microsurgical methods and principles. For more information, please visit www.microsurg.org.
With more than 30,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality musculoskeletal health. Orthopaedic surgeons and the Academy are the authoritative sources of information for patients and the general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments and related issues. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.usbjd.org) – the global initiative in the years 2002-2011 – to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people’s quality of life.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. For more information, please visit www.plasticsurgery.org.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. (www.aap.org)
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