Children’s Health Ireland has warned parents to never allow children on or near a ride-on lawnmower, adding that at least two children present to a hospital each season following accidents on the vehicles.
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) consists of hospitals at Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght alongside an urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.
CHI said that each spring and summer their trauma teams treat children with “devastating injuries” from ride-on lawnmowers.
“Our trauma teams report life-threatening injuries, including amputations of upper and lower limbs,” it said.
“While this can affect all ages, toddlers are particularly at risk,” it added.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon in CHI at Crumlin Catherine de Blacam warned that children can be pulled under or be dragged along by a ride-on lawnmower, if they are playing nearby.
Speaking on Drivetime, Ms Blacam said that it can seem like fun to have a child on your lap while using a ride-on lawnmower but they can fall from it and subsequently be struck by its blades in just a split second.
“It’s a really devastating trauma to the child, family and everybody involved,” she said.
She added that these wounds can be life changing or life threatening.
The CHI said the only safe way to mow the lawn near young children is to have another adult supervise them indoors.
It outlines a number of measures adults can take to avoid dangerous situations including teaching children to avoid running alongside ride-on lawnmowers, being mindful of surroundings when operating the vehicle in reverse and to never leave a ride-on lawnmower unattended.
