Summer is here, mowing season is in full swing, and members of your household—especially children and pets—are spending more time outdoors. Chances are when you're mowing, you're not out in the yard alone. As an adult, you know the dangers of heavy lawn equipment like a Spartan Mower, but your kids and pets most often lack that judgment.
According to a 2021 study published by physicians at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, there are more than 9,000 lawnmower injuries reported in children every year in the US. The study found that "when compared with patients injured by push mowers, patients injured by riding lawnmowers were significantly younger." Additionally, the study notes that lawn mower injuries are "the third leading cause of traumatic amputation in children." The most common injury listed was that of a child being run over by an "inattentive adult," with the second leading cause of injury involving children who were riding with an adult either jumped or fell into the path of the mower.
Spartan Mowers is a family-oriented company and we want your family to stay safe when our mowers are out in their element. Please follow these tips to ensure your kids and pets are not included in the above statistics.
1. KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS INDOORS WHILE YOU MOW
This one is easier said than done. When it’s a nice sunny day, chances are high that your kids and pets want to be outside. However, it’s important to realize accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, regardless of how diligent you are. Mowing doesn’t take all day, so keeping everyone inside for a small amount of time will give you peace of mind and reduce risk of injury.
2. CLEAR THE WAY
Having a Spartan certainly makes it tempting to hop your mower and get going, but it's extremely important to clean up any debris and obstacles that are on your lawn BEFORE you start the engine. In addition to limbs and toys, be sure to roll up and remove extension cords as well as any tools and other objects that may be in the way. This is usually the last thing you want to do, but even with children and pets inside your home, accidents can happen when the mower throws objects through a window into the house. Small toys, sports gear (baseballs) and other items that weren’t there when you mowed the last time are easy to overlook. Clear the path each and every time!
3. MOW AWAY FROM YOUR OUTDOOR PETS
Not all pets live indoors — you may have dogs and cats that live outside, and if you're in a rural area, you might also have poultry and small livestock in and around the yard. Should this be the case, never mow the grass clippings in their direction. If possible, secure them in a fenced area or a pen and be sure to aim the mower chute AWAY from them at all times. It’s also a great idea to mow away from your house whenever possible.
4. NO RIDERS
Spartans are big mowers and seem to have a lot of room, but they are designed for operation by ONE person. Many of us have been tempted to put our sidekick on our laps while we make a few rounds around the yard. With this being the second leading cause of lawn mower injuries in children, we ask that you not share the ride with anyone, especially your little ones.
5. BE AWARE OF CHANGING SURROUNDINGS
Even when you move all of your children and pets inside and secure outdoor pets and animals, things can change in an instant. If you live in a neighborhood, you never know when someone will be walking on the sidewalk in front of your house. Be on the lookout for the mailman, the UPS and FedEx drivers, as well as any traffic that could be endangered by mowing debris.
Motorcyclists are also at risk when grass clippings are thrown onto the road. In fact, when a motorcycle hits grass clippings it’s just like driving on ice! The best thing you can do if you are mowing in an environment that is unpredictable and constantly changing is to always mow the clippings into your yard and NOT towards the sidewalk or road.
