June 5, 2001 CHICAGO (AP) - Just in time for summer grass-cutting season, the American Academy of Pediatrics is warning against allowing kids to use lawn mowers.
Children under 12 should not operate walk-behind power or hand mowers, and those under 16 should not use riding mowers, the academy says.
Children also should not be allowed to ride on mowers as passengers, and kids under 6 should be kept inside when their parents are mowing the lawn, according to the guidelines.
``Children should not operate lawn mowers until they have displayed appropriate levels of judgment, strength, coordination and maturity necessary for their safe operation,'' the academy says.
About 9,400 U.S. youngsters under 18 receive emergency care for mower-related injuries each year, and about one-fourth of them are children younger than 5, according to the academy.
Seven percent of such injuries involve amputation or other severe damage, the academy reported in the June issue of its journal, Pediatrics, where the new guidelines are published.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, whose members include lawn mower manufacturers, has issued similar safety tips.
Peggy Douglas, an institute spokeswoman, said the group largely agrees with the academy's recommendations but does not specify age limits on operating mowers since ``kids mature at different ages.''
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
