Mow the Lawn, Lose a Limb: It’s More Common Than You Think

It happens every spring and summer without fail: we hear on the news about a child somewhere who lost a foot or a toe in a lawnmower accident. People with the best intentions – smart people – can cause an injury because they just haven’t thought enough about the dangers. However, when you’re operating a loud, large machine that whips blades around to cut things, you must stop and think about the things that can get in the way.
- Most importantly, children can get in the way. Never allow a child to play outside when you’re mowing the lawn. Insist that very young children stay inside when there’s a mower running. If you’re operating a ride-on mower, don’t let a young child sit on your lap or the seat with you as they could fall off.
Other things that can get in the way:
- If you run over sticks and stones with a mower, they become fast-flying projectiles that can seriously hurt someone.
- Unprotected feet. Always protect your feet and toes from mower blades and uneven ground with strong, well-made work boots.
- Inexperienced drivers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that only individuals 16 and older should operate a ride-on mower and that push mowers be operated by children no younger than 12.
- Bad equipment. Old, unsafe, hard-to-use mowers pose a greater danger than newer models with more safety features.
Our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey and Dr. Megan L. Oltmann are no strangers to badly cut toes, fractured feet, and crushed lower limbs due to lawnmower accidents. If you sustain a lower limb injury, call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.