Lawn Mower Accidents on the Rise

July 29, 2011

For most, mowing the lawn on a sunny, weekend afternoon can be a rewarding way to spend time outdoors, but for over 200,000 people per year it ends in a visit to the emergency room. Consumer Reports recently featured a survey and study in which the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and three other medical societies found that lawn mowing accidents and injuries are on the rise.

Injuries can range from minor sprains and twists to severed limbs. Victor Khabie, M.D., a clinical assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases says, “As an orthopedic surgeon, a call from the ER to come tend to a lawn-mower accident is one of the worst calls I can possibly get,” citing the fact that lawn mower accidents can cause serious fractures and bone loss, along with massive tissue damage that can be nearly impossible to reconstruct. Consumer Reports offers thirteen steps to lawn mower safety that could save you a trip to the hospital the next time you mow the lawn.

Colorado Personal Injury Attorneys with the McDivitt Law Firm encourage you to stay safe while mowing the lawn by always wearing protective gear, ensuring the mower’s path is free of debris, and checking regularly to make sure the mower isn’t clogged. Follow these and other simple steps and for an injury-free day in the yard!