Summer Injury Threat

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

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Now's the time of year when the sound of lawn-mowing fills the air - and it's also the time to be aware of lawnmower-related injuries.
Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and several surgeons' organizations are urging parents and caregivers to protect children from lawnmower accidents. The academy reports that more than 17,000 children and teens were treated for lawnmower injuries in 2008, and that these injuries often require multiple reconstructive surgeries.

To help prevent lawnmower-related injuries, keep these suggestions from the AAP in mind:
* Children should be at least 12 years old to operate any mower, and at least 16 to use a riding mower.
* Children should never ride as a passenger on a riding mower.
* Pick up rocks and other small objects from the lawn before mowing.
* Children should be kept out of the area when someone is mowing.
* Wear eye and ear protection and shoes - not sandals - when mowing.
* Mowers should have a device that stops their forward movement if the handle is released.
* And avoid pulling the mower backward or mowing in reverse.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.