A child should be at least 12 years of age before operating a push mower and at least 16 years old before operating a riding mower.

• Before allowing your teen to operate outdoor equipment, you should teach them how to operate the machinery and all safety precautions while using it
• Dress appropriately – long pants, close-fitting clothes, eye protection, proper shoes, and hearing protection
• Before operating the equipment, remove all stones, sticks, etc. from the area you are about to work in
• Never fill a mower or other equipment with gas while the equipment is on or still hot
• Never smoke or use any type of flame while operating equipment

If using electric equipment, only use an extension cord that is rated specifically for outdoor use

When children are young, they love to help their parents with chores.  However, more than 9,000 children under the age of 18 are injured by lawn mowers.

Make sure that your child is old enough and has learned the proper way to handle yard tools before allowing them to help with outside chores.

Improper use of lawn equipment and tools can result in serious injuries, such as amputations, and/or death. 

• Make sure that your child knows that a lawn mower or lawn tractor is not a toy
• Never let a child ride or operate a riding mower, even if being supervised
• Always make sure you know where your child is when you are operating lawn equipment
• Keep the children in the house and out of the yard while you are doing the yard work
• Always look behind you before backing up the lawn mower
• Make sure your tools are turned off and inoperable when you are not using them

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