Careless Mowing Habits Could Lead Children Down A Dangerous Path

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 3, 1996 -- Each spring as the grass begins to grow, millions of people follow the annual path to lawn and garden care. Friendly neighbors haul out their mowers, lawn tractors edgers, tillers, and chipper/shredders because they know this equipment provides the best route to beautiful landscape. But, along the way, some also haul out old, unsafe operating habits and this is where they unknowingly turn down a dangerous path...toward the possibility of accidents, especially to children.

The tendency to take kids for a ride on the mower is a careless old habit, probably learned by people who remember going for rides on lawn tractors when they were young. They think that it's okay to ride with their kids too. But riding with a child on a mower was an unsafe practice then, just as it is today.

Riding mowers are designed to provide many safety features for the operator, but they are not built for passengers. Simply stated, children should not be anywhere near the operation of lawnmowers or anywhere near the mowing area. This goes for all types of outdoor power equipment.

Furthermore, the media sometimes adds to the problem unintentionally -- with a newspaper occasionally picturing a happy parent riding on a mower with a child on their lap. It may be a cute picture -- but it sends the wrong message about mowing safely, and, hopefully, wise customers will realize this.

Lawnmower racing is another careless habit with a direct route down a dangerous path. Consumers should remember, riding mowers are hard-working utilitarian machines with sharp cutting blades designed to do yard work. They were not designed for racing -- even if the cutting deck is removed. Avoid the urge to treat them as such. A racing mindset could influence youngsters (as well as adults) to operate a riding mower carelessly which could lead to accidents.

Remember, think safety with power in your hands,"when operating any type of outdoor power equipment, practice these important do's and dont's..

• Do read the manufacturer's operator's manual before operating.
  
  
• Do keep small children out of the mowing area, and preferably indoors under adult supervision.
  
  
• Do be alert and turn the mower off if children enter the area.
  
  
• Do, before operating in reverse, look behind and down for small children.
  
  
• Don't carry children. Riding mowers are designed for one operator only.
  
  
• Don't allow children to operate a riding mower.
  
  
• Do use extra care when approaching corners, shrubs, and trees.
  
  
• Do handle fuel carefully and avoid spilling when you're filling.
  
  
• Do wear the proper clothing -- long slacks and sturdy shoes.
  
  
• Don't drive a riding mower like a race car -- it's a mower, not a racer.

Remember, carelessness is the leading cause of accidents and that's why the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute urges homeowners always to "think safety" when operating any type of outdoor power equipment.

For a free guide on Safety Tips and Environmentally Helpful Outdoor Power Equipment, write the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, 341 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314.

Contact: Gerry Patno of Belden-Frenz-Leman, Inc. 216-835-4000.