Lawn mower safety
Children, gear, fuel, slopes, and the blade control.
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Why it matters
The AAP's lawn mower safety page (last updated April 2025) says: "Each year, more than 5,000 children are treated in emergency departments for injuries caused by power mowers." The CPSC's 2015 power mower fact sheet says that from 2012 through 2014, an average of 36,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for walk-behind power mower injuries. The two figures count different groups, so we do not add them together.
Children and pets
The AAP says to make sure younger children are indoors or "at a safe distance, well away from the area that you plan to mow," and not to let children ride as passengers on ride-on mowers. AAOS says to keep children and pets away from the lawn mower, especially when it is in use.
Age to mow
The AAP says a child should first show the maturity, good judgment, strength, and coordination the job requires. It says that, in general, children should be at least 12 years of age to operate a walk-behind power mower safely, and at least 16 years of age to operate a ride-on or riding lawn mower safely. It says to supervise a child's mowing until you are sure they can manage the task alone.
What to wear
The AAP says anyone who uses a mower should wear hearing and eye protection and sturdy shoes that cover the toes. AAOS says never to mow barefoot or in sandals or flip-flops.
Fuel and the engine
The AAP says to stop the engine and allow it to cool before refueling, and to start and refuel mowers outdoors. Ohio State says not to operate equipment in a closed building, where carbon monoxide can build up quickly.
The federal blade control rule
The CPSC standard says a walk-behind rotary power mower must have a blade control that brings the blade to a complete stop within 3 seconds after the control is released. The CPSC says not to remove any safety devices.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, Lawn Mower Safety: Information for Families; AAOS OrthoInfo, Lawn Mower Safety; AAOS, 4 Tips to Avoid Injuries from Common Summer Activities (2025); CPSC, Power Lawn Mowers (Publication 5126, PDF); eCFR, 16 CFR Part 1205, Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers; Ohio State University Extension, Power Lawn Mowers.
FAQ
General information only. Read the operator's manual before you mow. Keep children and pets indoors or well away from the area you mow, and never let a child ride on a mower as a passenger. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that, in general, children should be at least 12 years old to operate a walk-behind power mower safely and at least 16 to operate a riding mower safely. Before you clear, adjust, or service the blade area, turn the mower off, wait for the blade to stop, and disconnect the spark plug wire; on a battery or corded electric mower, follow the manual to disconnect its power. Refuel outdoors, only with the engine off and cool. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and eye and hearing protection. In an emergency, call 911.
Next: riding mowers
Seats, slopes, no passengers.
