CPSC Alerts Consumers to Lawn and Garden Care Dangers
More Than 800 Young Children Are Run Over by Riding Mowers Each
Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) reminds consumers to practice safety and common sense when
working in their yards and gardens this summer. About 230,000
people each year are treated in hospital emergency rooms for
injuries relating to various lawn and garden tools.
Each year, about 75 people are killed and about 20,000 are
injured on or near riding lawnmowers and garden tractors. One out
of every five deaths involves a child. CPSC estimates that most
of the deaths to children occurred when a child was in the path
of a moving mower.
"No parent wants their child to be one of these statistics,"
said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Young children move quickly and
are attracted to mowing activity, but they don't understand the
dangers it poses. Parents should keep young children away from
any outdoor power equipment."
The CPSC safety standard for walk-behind mowers has
substantially reduced the number of mower injuries. In addition,
CPSC has worked with industry on a standard for riding mowers to
stop the blade if the rider gets off or falls off the
seat.
CPSC advises consumers to learn about the hazards of each
piece of equipment, and take the following precautions to prevent
injuries to children and themselves from lawn and garden
equipment:
Children should never be in the yard while you're mowing, and
they should never ride on the mower. More than 800 young children
get run over or backed over by riding mowers each year. This
happens when children fall while being given rides, or when they
approach the operating mower.
Never assume children will remain where you last saw them. Be
alert and turn off the mower if children enter the mowing area.
Use extra care when backing up or going around corners, shrubs,
trees or other obstacles.
Many children suffer serious burns to their hands and arms
when they touch the hot muffler of running or recently running
engines. Keep children away from power equipment.
Be sure you know how to operate the equipment. Know where the
controls are and what they do. Make sure the equipment is in
proper operating condition and guards or other safety devices
have not been removed or disabled.
Dress appropriately for the job. This includes: sturdy shoes
with slip-resistant rubber soles, long pants and long-sleeved
shirts, close-fitting clothes, eye protection, heavy gloves,
hearing protection when needed, and no jewelry, which can get
caught in moving parts.
Before mowing, walk around the area in which you will be
working to remove any objects like sticks, glass, metal, wire,
stones and string that could cause injury or damage equipment.
Nails and wire are the most hazardous objects thrown by mowers,
capable of killing bystanders.
Never work with electric power tools in wet or damp
conditions. For protection against electrocution, use a ground
fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). GFCIs come in several models,
including portable plug-in types and as part of some extension
cords.
Be sure that extension cords are in good condition, are rated
for outdoor use, and are the proper gauge for the electrical
current capacity of the tool.
Before making adjustments or clearing jams near moving parts,
unplug electric tools and disconnect spark plug wires on
gasoline-powered tools.
Be sure that power tools are turned off and made inoperable
if they must be left unattended. This will help prevent use by
children.
Handle gasoline carefully. Remember never to fill gas tanks
while machinery is operating or when equipment is still hot. Do
not fuel equipment indoors. Wipe up spills. Store gas in an
approved container away from the house. Finally, never smoke or
use any type of flame around gasoline.