Strategic
Communications and Marketing Group
Springfield,
MA 01199
Contact:
Keith J. O’Connor, Public Affairs Manager
tel. - (w) 413-794-7656 (h) 413-533-5910 (cell)
413-537-7596
fax - 413-794-4333 email:
keith.o’connor@bhs.org
Melissa
Sheehy (w) 794-7633 fax - 794-4333
6-21-05-388
LAWNMOWERS CAN
BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH
Devastating
accidents to the hand and fingers can occur when used improperly
SPRINGFIELD-
Every summer, lawnmowers are constantly running as homeowners try to keep their
yards trim and beautiful. Unfortunately, “lawnmowing season” brings many
people, especially children, with devastating hand injuries to emergency
departments such as Baystate Medical Center.
According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, every year
more than 74,000 small children, adolescents and adults are injured by rotary,
hand and riding power mowers due to the improper handling of lawnmowers.
“Every summer we see patients, both adults and children, who come into
our office with severe injuries to their hand and fingers,” said Dr. Jeffrey
Wint of the Hand Center of Western Mass.
“Often
parents will give their children a ride on the lawnmower as a treat, but this
can be very dangerous, as kids can fall off and get injured. Adults who attempt
to maintain mowers without taking proper safety precautions often get injured,
too,” added Dr. Wint, who is a member of the medical staff at Baystate Medical
Center.
“Injuries
can become contaminated from soil or dirt from the mower, which can lead to
serious infections resulting in amputations,” Dr. Wint warned.
Most
injuries can be avoided by using common sense and practicing safe mowing. To
stay safe while mowing:
n
Children
under age 6 should remain indoors when the lawn is being mowed.
n
Safety
training is essential for those old enough to operate a lawnmower.
Supervise your children until you are satisfied they understand how to
safely operate the mower and can manage the task alone.
n
Never
service mowers while in operation and always keep them in good working order.
n
Do not
use hands or feet to clean mower, especially around the blade, because even with
the mower off, there can still be tension on the blade, which can spin rapidly
once cleared. Always use a stick or broom handle to remove any obstruction
n
When
mowing a slope with a walk-behind mower, mow across the face of the slope, not
up and down.
n
When
using a riding mower, go up and down the slope rather than across to avoid
tipping over.
n
Read
mower's instruction manual and do not remove safety devices or guards.
n
Do not
mow in bad weather, in poor light, or on wet grass.
n
Never
allow passengers, other than the operator, on riding mowers.
n
Do not
operate lawnmower while barefoot and wear gloves, long pants and goggles.
Parents need to remember that lawnmowers are not toys and must be used
appropriately. Many children have died from accidents on or around mowers. Dr.
Wint warns that lawnmowers can be “a potential lethal weapon and just as
dangerous as giving a child a loaded gun.”
He
said there is a need to create an awareness of the potential dangers of
lawnmowers, as many of the accidents are preventable.
“It
is heartbreaking to see some of these children’s injuries,” said Dr. Wint.
“Remembering these few safety precautions and using sound judgment can keep
everyone safe and lawns looking great this summer.”