Are Riding Lawn Mowers Safe?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Hazards most often associated with riding equipment are blade contact and loss of stability

. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 35,000 consumer injuries related to riding mower incidents were treated annually in hospital emergency rooms during 2012-2014.

How often do lawn mower accidents happen?


On average Injuries (Annually)


35,000
Death Rate (Annually) 90 Children (Per Day Visits) 13 70% Victims (1990-2014) Children Under age 5

Can a riding lawn mower explode?

Well, not in the way you might be thinking.

A lawn mower is likely to explode if it catches fire, or if there are unauthorized changes made to the fuel supply and the engine

. When used normally, the chances of a lawn mower exploding are virtually negligible.

Are push mowers better than riding mowers?


Riding mowers can cover ground faster than a person can push a walk-behind mower

, and their cutting widths are greater so you're cutting more grass, faster. Walk-behinds are typically 21-inch mowers while riding mowers are available with cutting decks more than three times as wide.

How do you use a lawn mower safely?

Wear goggles, hearing protection, gloves and long pants. Always wear sturdy close-toed shoes while mowing the lawn. Do not drink alcohol or use other substances before or while using your lawn mower. Do not remove safety devices or guards on switches.

Should kids ride on lawn mowers?

Mowers do not have two seats and, therefore, are not designed for two people—so

NEVER let a child ride on a mower for any reason

. Children have a higher chance of being injured by the blades or by being run over when they are riding a lawn mower.

How many people died from lawnmowers?

injuries have been blamed for an average of

70 deaths annually

, the CPSC said. The injuries range from people falling or slipping in front of or off a mower; burns; amputations from the blades; damage from projectiles thrown from the lawnmower; or, in the Alabama case from this weekend, rollovers.

How old should you be before operating a riding lawn mower?

Folsom follows the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations on what ages kids can properly use a lawn lower. According to the academy, children should be at least 12 to use a walk-behind or push mower. Children should be

at least 16

to operate a riding mower.

Are lawn mowers safe?

are helpful tools, but

they can also be very dangerous

. Each year, many thousands of people suffer deep cuts, loss of fingers and toes, crushed and broken bones, burns, and other injuries due to improper or careless use of lawn mowers.

Can a lawn mower cause a fire?

“When you use lawnmowers you want to make sure that you when you're done mowing you want the lawn more to cool off and that's a good idea to clean off the mower because grass clippings and stuff like that build up on it and if the exhaust is still hot it can catch that on fire and also

if you put it inside and it's

What does Black smoke from a lawn mower mean?

Black smoke may indicate that

the mower is “running rich,” or burning too much gasoline

. Your lawn mower's carburetor regulates the ratio of gasoline to air mixture. If the carburetor isn't getting enough air, the mixture has a higher percentage of gasoline, which can create black exhaust smoke.

Why would a lawn mower catch fire?


Fuel hazards

are one of the leading causes of fire in gas-powered lawn mowers. Fuel leaking onto the motor can cause a fire. Fuel vapors around a hot muffler also cause fires. According to Underwriters Laboratory, the exhaust of a mower is 240 degrees and the engine can heat to 200 degrees.

Is it worth buying a riding mower?

Riding lawn mowers are ideal for large yards and commercial use as they cover more ground than push mowers in a shorter time frame. While more expensive,

riding mowers are an investment worth considering if you have a significant amount of grass to mow

.

How long does the average riding lawn mower last?

With proper care and maintenance, you can expect a lawnmower to be working well for many years. An average riding mower can last for

ten to fifteen years

, or in hours 1000 to 1500.

How do you mow grass with a riding mower?

  1. Before you mow, set your mower to the recommended height for your type of grass.
  2. Cut only 1/3 of the grass blades at one time. …
  3. Don't mow while the grass is wet from rain or dew. …
  4. Change your mowing pattern each time you mow.

Can a lawn mower cut your hand?

Lawnmower Injury Basics

Lawnmowers are made to cut, and

if a hand gets in the way trying to dislodge something that is “stuck” or the like, the blades of the lawnmower can cut through the skin and bones of the hand

.

Can sticks damage lawn mower?


Trying to mow over twigs can dull the mower blades, or even damage them if the branches are large

. Hitting a stump with a push mower will most likely damage the blade and crankshaft, and hitting a stump on a riding mower can damage blades, mower deck, and spindles.

Are petrol mowers safe?

»

Be careful when working with petrol

. Petrol can be extremely explosive! Fires can occur when re-filling a mower that is hot or still running. Never smoke around petrol.

Can a 10 year old mow the lawn?

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises that

children younger than 12 should not use walk-behind lawn mowers

. Physically, a child must be large enough and strong enough to easily start the mower, control the direction, operate controls, and keep all four wheels on the ground.

Can I mow the lawn with baby?

According to the AAP,

children allowed to mow the lawn should be at least 12 if operating a push mower or at least 16 if using a ride-on mower

. These ages are general guidelines for parents. Additionally, the child's abilities and maturity level along with their size should be considered.

What are 3 lawnmower safety tips?


Wear protective gloves, goggles, sturdy shoes, and long pants

when you use lawn mowers. Never mow barefoot, or in sandals or flip flops. Do not drink alcoholic beverages before operating a lawn mower. Hands and feet should never be used to touch the lawn mower blade under any circumstances, even if the engine is off.

How do lawn mower accidents happen?

According to results presented at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in March, injuries were caused most often when children ran behind a mower; slipped under the mower while riding as a passenger; collided with mower blades when machines were steered in reverse; or were struck by a mower that …

How many lawn mowers are sold in the US each year?

Exact statistics aren't available, but McClain estimates

350,000 manual mowers

are sold in the United States each year — most made by her company. That is just a fraction of the 6 million gas-powered walk-behind mowers that hit the market last year.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.