Rules for safe yardwork

Mowing the lawn can be dangerous for children, even with parents present. That reminder, for parents who may think of letting their children help with lawn mowing this summer, comes from a group of concerned physicians, along with their tips on safety precautions.

In a phone conversation about safety, Dr. Lawrence Colen, president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, or ASRM, and one of this advisory team, pointed out there are different issues for different age groups, calling for basic common sense.

First thing that came to mind: With the 4- to 5-year-olds, "Make sure they're not near the mower," he said, speaking from his Norfolk, Va., office. "Don't even let them close."

Another warning, about ride-on mowers: Looking back, he said, "I think, as a dad, it would have been fun to give a kid a ride on dad's lap on the mower," he said. "But that's a big no-no."

"Once children get a bit older, especially by the time they're in the 15 to 16 age group, they're usually responsible enough to understand the implications of not paying attention." That's when it would be OK for them to use a ride-on mower.

More than 220,000 people, including some 16,500 children younger than 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.

Doctors from specialties often called on to repair injuries from mowers got together to compile the following advice for parents, and for children, too, on lawn-mower safety. In addition to Colen's ASRM, advice came from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The group's suggested safety measures are:

• 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 being mowed.
• 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, and carefully look for others behind the mower.
• 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.