Comments on: What every parent should know before mowing the lawn this summer

By: John Thometz, MD, Chief of Pediatric Orthopedics at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:41:58 +0000

Lawnmower injures are terrible tragedies. They generally cause severe disfiguring injuries, and may lead to amputation or death. Every effort must be made to avoid these injuries. Children should never ride on a lawnmower. Parents must be sure that little children are not in the yard when the lawnmower is used. Children under 12 should not operate a lawnmower. Great care must be taken when the lawn surface is uneven. Greater awareness of how these injuries occur will help decrease their incidence.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:53:15 +0000

This reminds many of us the dangers that we take for granted. My son loves to help mow the yard with me and I have never considered that as a potential danger.

This post really opened my eyes. Thanks again!

By: Scott Van Valin, MD

Scott Van Valin, MD — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:27:07 +0000

Terri does a nice job explaining the important aspects of lawn mower safety. Unfortunately, she had to experience it firsthand with her son Henry. In the Orthopedic department at Children’s we see these kids every year. Most, like Henry, suffer lower extremity injuries which usually involve amputations and numerous surgeries by us as well as our peds and plastic surgeons.

These injuries are not limited to riding lawn mowers and little kids only. All it takes is a teenager trying to get the lawn mowed in a hurry, on a hill with wet grass and flip flops . . .

Every year we treat numerous lawn mower injuries and this year is no exception. We already have seen and treated several injuries before the first of June! With attention to detail and observing the previous mentioned precautions, maybe next year we will be lawn mower injury free!

Scott Van Valin, MD, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin