A 3-year-old in Clinton, Connecticut was riding on a tractor with her father, when she fell off and may have been run over, suffering a serious head injury.
Unfortunately, these types of lawn mower and tractor accidents and tragedies are not rare. While it may seem like fun to have a young child ride on a tractor or riding lawn mower, it is important to remember that they are extremely dangerous. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) estimates that about 17,000 children require care in the emergency room each year because of lawn mower accidents.
In recent weeks, similar accidents include:
- a 6-year-old in Florence, Alabama who died when she fell off a tractor she was riding on with her mother and was run over by a rear mower attachment.
- a 7-year-old in Richmond, Indiana who suffered serious injuries to his leg after being run over by a lawn mover his father was driving.
- a 2-year-old in Spokane, Washington who lost several toes and suffered severe trauma to her legs after she was run over by a riding lawn mower.
Keep young kids inside when you mow the lawn and never let a child ride on your lap while you use a ride-on mower. And while chores are great for kids, keep in mind that the AAP says that "most children will not be ready to operate a walk-behind power mower or hand mower until at least 12 years of age or a ride-on mower until at least 16 years of age."
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Lawn Mower Safety
Accidents and Tragedies
Hidden Dangers
Any machine or vehicle with only on seat is intended for only one person. I’ve been operating and repairing all kinds of mobile equipment for over 30 years, and hear of accidents like this regularly. Its a terrible shame that people never seem to learn…… There were tv ads recently for an allergy medication in which a young woman is riding on the fender of an old Farmall tractor. It takes a fraction of a second to fall and be run over in that position.