LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Helping mow the lawn is something
many children do over the summer. Some of them even do it for
neighbors to earn a little spending money. About 253,000 people
were treated for lawnmower-related injuries in 2010, and nearly
17,000 of them were children under age 19. On this Medical
Monday, Joe Schaffner from Arkansas Children's Hospital has
eight safety tips that parents and kids should always follow to
avoid a trip to the hospital. 1. Children should be at least 12
years old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16
years old for a riding mower. 2. Children should never be
passengers on riding mowers. 3. Always wear sturdy shoes while
mowing - not sandals or flip flops. 4. Young children should be
at a safe distance from the area you are mowing. 5. Pick up
stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from
flying objects. 6. Use a mower with a control that stops it from
moving forward if the handle is released. 7. Never pull backward
or mow in reverse unless a