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Preventing Serious Lawnmower Injuries

As droves of preteens and teens take to cutting lawns as part of their household chores or to earn extra cash, getting them to follow basic safety precautions is essential to avoiding severe injuries. In 2006, more than 220,000 people - about 16,500 of them under 19 years old - were treated for lawnmower-related injuries. Often more than minor scrapes and scratches, these wounds can be extensive... But almost all severe grass-cutting injuries are completely preventable.

As droves of preteens and teens take to cutting lawns as part of their household chores or to earn extra cash, getting them to follow basic safety precautions is essential to avoiding severe injuries.

In 2006, more than 220,000 people - about 16,500 of them under 19 years old - were treated for lawnmower-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Often far more than minor scrapes and scratches, these wounds can be extensive - from partial lower-limb amputations to major injuries of the eyes, face, and hands - and may require care from a team of doctors, multiple surgeries, and significant recovery time and rehabilitation. But almost all severe grass-cutting injuries are completely preventable.

What This Means to You
To help you and your family avoid lawnmower injuries this summer, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) have teamed up to offer these important tips:
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