Letters to the Editor - 2

Lawnmowers are machines, not toys

As representatives of the Pediatric Physician Faculty, Children's Hospital Leadership and the Pediatric Trauma Team at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital, we are expressing our concerns about an upcoming "lawnmower race" that is currently being promoted as a family friendly event.

Every year, before the summer starts, our Safe and Sound Injury Prevention team attempts to re-educate the public that lawnmowers are not toys, and children are not safe around them. Every summer we have at least one serious accident, usually many more, involving a child riding with someone on a lawnmower. These accidents usually involve the loss or partial loss of toes, feet, fingers, hands and eyesight. Whenever a beautiful child suffers the pain of losing a limb, then goes through surgery, and finally lives with a prosthesis for the rest of his/her life, we all are saddened at the senselessness of this type injury.

A "lawnmower race" sends absolutely the wrong message to children and their parents. The event showcases lawnmowers as something to "have fun on." To the contrary, lawnmowers are potentially dangerous pieces of equipment and should strictly be used according to the manufacturer's operating manual - which clearly recommends against their use by anyone 16 or under. Racing lawnmowers at speeds up to 70 miles per hour only encourages children to "try that at home." We are sure that the folks hosting the event were only trying to have a fun unique event, but they need to be mindful of the message they send to our children.

Please do not give your children rides, or even let them even be outside when you are mowing. Teach them the dangers of running up behind a person on a riding or push mower. Do not let children operate a riding lawnmower until they are old enough to drive a car; many children have been seriously injured when lawnmowers have turned over on them. There are so many aspects of our lives we have no control over, but this is one that we can. Please help keep our children safe by discouraging events of this type.

ALAN E. KOHRT, M.D.

Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics

University of Tennessee

College of Medicine, Chattanooga

(And 20 Other Physicians)

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