Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Lawn mowers are commonplace and many households use a variety of mowers to care for the grassy spaces around their homes. Whether using a push mower or a ride-on mower, it’s always important to keep safety in mind. Lawn mower operators must understand safety procedures and set expectations with others who use this equipment.
Each year many children are injured severely by lawn mowers. Power mowers can be especially dangerous. Because lawn mowers are easy to use, sometimes people consider allowing their children to perform the weekly task of cutting the lawn. But when is a child old enough to mow the lawn? The answer depends on many factors. Before being considered to mow the lawn, a child should show the maturity, good judgment, strength, and coordination that the job requires. In general, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should be at least 12 years of age to safely operate a walk-behind power mower or hand mower and 16 years of age to safely operate a riding lawn mower. Regardless of age, it is important the child be taught how to use a lawn mower. Before allowing a youth to mow the lawn alone, an adult must spend time with him or her teaching them how to do the job safely. Careful adult supervision is a must until it is certain that he or she can manage the task alone
Mowing the lawn can be dangerous for youth and adults alike. Most lawn mower-related injuries can be prevented by following just a few safety guidelines. Most importantly, read, understand, and follow all instructions in the operating manual before using the equipment. Become thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper useof the lawn mower.
Before mowing, check the conditions of the weather and the area being mowed. Do not mow during bad weather, such as during a thunderstorm. Do not mow wet grass, and do not mow if there is not enough daylight to see clearly. Make sure that children (and pets) are indoors or at a safe distance well away from the area being mowed. Remain aware of where children are and do not allow them near the area. Clear the mowing area of any objects such as twigs, stones, and toys that could be picked up and thrown by the lawn mower blades. Make sure that protective guards, shields, the grass catcher, and other types of safety equipment are placed properly on the lawn mower. Inspect the mower for loose belts, missing or damaged guards, or accumulations of grass and leaves in and around the mower deck.
While mowing, be sure to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with slip-proof soles, close-fitting clothes, as well as eye and hearing protection. Tall grass can hide objects, holes or bumps. Use caution when approaching corners, trees or anything that might block your view. If the mower strikes an object, stop, turn the mower off, and inspect the mower. If it is damaged, do not use it until it has been repaired. Do not pull the mower backwards or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully watch while mowing in reverse.
Never allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on lawn mowers or garden tractors. Riding mowers are designed to be operated by only one person. You should operate the equipment from the driver’s seat only and keep both feet on the machine at all times.
Use extra caution when mowing a slope. When a walk-behind mower is used, mow across the face of slopes, not up and down, to avoid slipping under the mower and into the blades. When using a riding mower, mow up and down slopes, not across, to avoid tipping over. Also watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Any kind of uneven terrain could cause the machine to overturn.
Always operate the mower with the correct attachments and safety features in place. Do not operate a machine unless the grass catcher, discharge guard, or other safety devices are in place and working. When crossing gravel paths, roads or other areas disengage the mower deck and wait for the blades to stop completely. Stop and completely turn off the engine before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or walking away from the mower.
Freshly cut grass is one of the fragrances of summer. Keep your kids and yourself safe as you heed these mowing safety tips!
By Linda Bates County Extension Agent - 4-HThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Linda Bates County Extension Agent - 4-H U of A Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service 236 Woodbine Hot Springs AR 71901 (501) 623-6841 lbates@uada.edu
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.