7 essential lawn mower tips to know

Safety guidelines to follow as lawn mower-related injuries remain a serious concern for emergency physicians

July 31, 2025 4:00 PM

Getty Images

This article originally ran on May 9, 2017. It was updated on July 31, 2025.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is a federal agency that tracks injuries from many common household items.

In 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, 70,381 lawn mower related injuries were reported in the United States.

Lawn mower blades can spin at rates of thousands of feet per minute and are capable of inflicting tremendous injury to hands and feet.

These high speeds also mean that ejected debris such as rocks and sticks can reach speeds over 100 mph as they leave the machine.

Lower extremity injuries account for about 23% of all lawn mower related injuries—around 19,000 cases annually.

Though many search for novel "hacks" to make things easier, being safe is often a matter of following instructions and common-sense guidelines.

By doing so, you can make it through another season without spending any of your summer in the emergency department because of a preventable injury.

7 tips for safe operation of your lawn mower

1.Start with the manual

Even if you can’t find the original manual, most manuals can be found through a web search.

Locate the model number on your machine and spend a few minutes reading the manual.

Understanding your mower’s safety features or dead-man switch can prevent accidental starts and injuries.

2. Prepare the lawn 

Walk the entire yard to remove stones, sticks, toys and other debris that could become high-speed projectiles when struck.

This is especially important for the first mow of the season, after a storm or other yard work such as tree removal or landscaping.

3. Wear protective gear

Always wear close-toed, sturdy footwear to limit injury to your feet from thrown objects.

Long pants can help shield your legs from flying debris and mechanical hazards.

Safety glasses are recommended to help protect yourself in the event of flying debris. Hearing protection is especially important during extended mowing.

4. Keep a careful eye on children. 

Most experts recommend that children younger than 12 shouldn't use lawn mowers unsupervised.

Additionally, children under 16 shouldn’t operate riding lawn mowers.

Never carry passengers, especially children, on a riding mower; they can fall off and quickly be run over by the mower.

Keep bystanders clear of the mower as blades and blind spots make riding mowers especially dangerous.

5. Operate mindfully

Only operate a mower where you can walk easily. If you’re on a steep hill or incline and can’t keep your footing, it’s not safe to mow there.

Never reach into the machine to remove grass pieces or debris while the mower is running.

Use a stick or tool to clear clogs, only after the machine has completely shut down.

6. Safely handle fuel and heat

Always turn off the engine and let it cool off completely before refueling.

Avoid smoking or using open flames near fuel.

Beware of burns. Many people don’t realize how hot the engine and exhaust can get. Burns can occur if unprotected skin comes into contact with these surfaces even for a short amount of time.