Here's some advice on reducing accidents whileworking in the yard.
Perhaps few other household chores involve the use of potentially lethal equipment as lawn care.
From powerful lawnmowers capable of shredding anything that reaches their blades to garden tools that require long, sweeping strokes, it should be obvious to parents that yardwork should be off-limits to younger children. There are some things that can be done to REDUCE the chances of injury or death, but they cannot be entirely childproof because of their intent and design. A lawnmower, for example, will always have sharp blades that cannot discriminate between grass and any other object entering the cutting zone. Designing out ALL potential hazards of yardcare tools would be nearly impossible, so parents must assume some responsibility for teaching children about safety issues.
Here are some tips on how to reduce the chances of your child being injured or killed by common yardcare equipment and practices.
1. A child should understand that lawnmower and tractors are not toys. Riding lawnmowers and farm tractors are especially attractive to young children, who may confuse work with play. Children may see Mommy or Daddy riding a lawnmower and honestly believe that this is all fun and no work. Parents should tell their children that Mommy and Daddy sometimes have to mow the grass to keep it from getting too high or too dangerous, and that it's just another job like doing the dishes or vacuuming the rug. It may look like fun, but it's very hard work sometimes. Obviously, young children should never operate a riding lawnmower by themselves, but allowing them to ride along with you as you mow may send out mixed signals. The practice itself is dangerous and against the manufacturer's recommendations. If your child wants to ride along while you mow the lawn, get an approved attachable wagon and play 'hayride'. This will keep the child away from the blade area and also prevent distractions for the driver.
2. Make sure you make a thorough inspection of the area you intend to mow. Before starting your lawnmowing chore, carefully investigate the yard for any signs of misplaced toys, small tools, branches, rocks or any other debris. This may be an excellent chore for your children as well. Ask them to walk around the yard and pick up anything that may get caught in a lawn mower. Never assume a 100% success rate whenever younger children are assigned a chore- remain vigilant while mowing. Objects kicked out of a moving lawnmower blade area can easily reach speeds of 80 or 90 mph or more, turning an innocent marble or pebble into a bullet. After the initial inspection, remind your children to avoid the area around the lawnmower while it is moving. Suggest an alternate play area for the duration of the job. Better to be seen as a spoilsport now than risk your child's safety later.
3. When using hand-powered lawn tools, establish some form of safety code. Children are naturally drawn to their parents, especially when the parents are doing something new and fascinating. Swinging a funny looking 'golf club' with blades on it may qualify as fascinating for a young child. As someone who is trying to complete an odious chore such as weedtrimming, you may find yourself preoccupied with the task at hand. As you take a large swing to attack a thicker weedbed, your child may suddenly appear without warning. What you need to develop is some form of silent communication that will instantly tell your child to stay away. Some parents will put on an orange safety vest, similar to a hunter's vest, that will let the child know that Daddy is doing something dangerous right now, so stand back. Others make it a rule never to swing a weed trimmer past their body width unless they are completely assured that the area is clear. Most weed trimming does not require huge arcing swings above waist level anyway, so keep your strokes short and controlled when children are around.
4. Gardening tools should never, ever get into the hands of untrained and unsupervised children. Maintain a safe and secure storage shed for any and all clippers, hedgers, trimmers and sharpened tools. Young children may be able to handle a trowel or shovel, but anything else should be restricted. Make sure that any safety device provided by the manufacturer is in working condition, even if it may be more convenient for you to work without it. Blades should be able to be locked together, so that children cannot be cut by exposed edges. If it cannot be made safe, then it must be stored out of reach or locked inside a shed. Absolutely no horseplay should be tolerated whenever garden equipment is used. Children, especially young boys, are prone to emulating their favorite movie moments, some of which may involve horror movie characters terrorizing their 'victims' with a sickle or an axe or some other farm tool. Proper respect for tools should be your highest priority. Purchase rubber or plastic replicas if your child wants to role play, and make sure they understand the difference between a PLAY ax and a REAL ax.
5. Watch your own behavior around lawn equipment. Children are natural mimics, so your best defense against possible abuse of dangerous equipment is to put on a good show yourself. Always put on the required safety gear yourself when operating yardcare equipment. Be aware of your clothing- make sure nothing can get caught in the blades or will leave you exposed to dangers. Wear goggles or gloves when needed. Never try to show off for other adults whenever children are watching. Children absorb your worst habits about as quickly as they absorb your best, so lead by example. If you allow older children to help with yardcare, maintain close supervision and immediately correct them if they make potentially hazardous moves. Before you allow an older child or teen to earn some money by mowing lawns, make sure your child's abilities match their enthusiasm. Show them how to make emergency repairs, refill the gas tank, clear the cutting area safely, empty and replace the catchbag and any other safety tip related to your particular mower. If a riding mower is used, provide transportation yourself to and from the worksite. Never allow a child to 'drive' a riding lawnmower to or from a worksite. Besides being illegal, the potential of a tip-over is just too great. Many tractor accidents result from tip-overs caused by trenches and other steep grades.
