TSAOG orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ronald W. Connor was recently interviewed by WOAI’s Jim Forsyth regarding lawn mower safety. Tune in to WOAI Radio all day today to catch the full interview.
In 2013, over 300,000 people were treated for lawn mower-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Of those injuries, about 1/3 were severe enough to be treated at the ER.
Mowing the lawn is such a routine activity that people have a tendency to overlook some of the serious safety hazards involved, but you can avoid injuries by taking some simple safety precautions, including:
- Wear shoes with good traction to avoid slipping.
- Use a mower that stops automatically when you let go of the handle.
- Before you mow, look for and remove rocks and other objects that could become dangerous projectiles.
- Wear protective eye wear.
- Never use your hands or feet to remove debris from a lawn mower, even if the motor is turned off. Use a stick or broom handle instead.
- Keep small children off the lawn while you are mowing.
Also, according to Dr. Connor, you should “never put a child on a riding lawn mower with an adult because if they fall off that can be a catastrophic injury.“
For more lawn mower safety tips, please visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Ronald W. Connor is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group. He treats patients aged 14 years and up for all orthopedic conditions with the exception of the spine and has a special interest in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Connor, please call 210.281.9595.
