This photograph appeared in The Recorder, Greenfield, MA., July 14, 2001.
The sun is shining, it is a beautiful day and it is time to mow the lawn. Please do not allow your children to accompany you. It only takes a second for a serious injury to occur.
The public needs to be aware of how an injury can occur.
A small child can easily fall from the drivers lap. Even the most careful best intentioned adult who is responsible and vigilant and would never do anything to endanger a small child can lose their grip. You don't see many kids riding down the highway on the drivers lap. While we don't expect accidents, they can occur.
However the most common way a child is hurt by a riding mower is not by falling off, but getting run over by the mower. Surprisingly, backing up over a child is the most common way a child is run over by a riding mower. So keep your children inside especially if they are under six years.
REMEMBER, Adults are injured more often than children
For tips concerning power and riding mower safety:
American Society for Surgery of the Hand