A Dangerous Chore for Kids

The hum of a lawn mower is a part of summer in many households. But make sure you never include lawn mowing on your older grade-schooler’s lists of chores to do around the house.

As many as 16,000 children are injured in lawn mower accidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The injuries, which can be serious, include severed fingers, toes and limbs and broken bones.

Among the safety tips suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and others:

• Don’t let kids under 12 operate any lawn mowers. If you have a ride-on mower, a child should be at least age 16.
• Never take children for rides on ride-on mowers.
• Make sure children are a safe distance away from the mower at all times.
• Always allow only adults to handle mower maintenance tasks such as changing blades, removing the grass catcher, or unclogging the discharge chute.

Give your grade-schooler safe chores to do this summer. And if an older sibling is taking care of the lawn -- of if you are handling it yourself -- be sure to follow basic safety rules.

What chores does your grade-schooler do around the house?

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