Keep Kids Safe During Yard Work

Power tools make yard work easier, from mowing the lawn to trimming the bushes. These tools, however, also pose a threat to children if precautions aren't taken.

Accidents involving lawnmowers send thousands of children age 18 or younger to emergency rooms each year. And several thousand more are hurt by other outdoor power tools.

Lawnmower injuries include cuts, burns, and other injuries to arms and legs, loss of fingers and limbs, inhalational injuries from toxic fumes, and eye injuries from flying debris.

Most of these injuries can be prevented if young children are properly supervised or simply kept out of the work area:

• Keep children out of any work area where you're using outdoor power equipment, including lawnmowers, weed trimmers, edgers, chippers, shredders, and log splitters.

• If a child enters a work area, turn off any outdoor power device at once.

• Don't let a young child operate or play with outdoor power equipment, even when it's not in use.

• Never allow passengers on riding mowers or tow trailers carrying children.

• Clear the work area of any objects such as twigs, stones, and toys that could be thrown by lawnmower blades or other equipment.

• Look for children before and while you back up and when you go around corners, shrubs, trees, or other obstacles.

• Wear sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) while mowing.