Typically, the injured child darted or fell in the path of the mower while playing in the mowing area. The latter two injury categories occurred predominantly when the mower was in use and accounted for a significant proportion of hospital admissions. Most deaths were due to the mower blade striking the head or chest. Before the Consumer Product Safety Commission Hazard Report regarding ride-on mowers, the frequency and seriousness of injuries from these vehicles in children were not appreciated widely. It is now imperative that measures be taken to prevent or minimize these injuries and their associated morbidity and mortality.
Children are also vulnerable to being struck by rocks or other objects propelled by the mower blade.
Children should not be allowed to ride with the mower operator or ride in carts or trailers being towed behind the mower. Finally, children must not operate ride-on mowers, even with adult supervision, until age and instruction requirements have been established and met. Currently, no age-specific criteria for use have been established by the manufacturers or by law. Thus, an age of at least 14 years and a specified period of operational training and safety instruction should be required to operate these vehicles. Maturity, coordination, and judgment are necessary for safe operation.