Kid lawn mower injuries can be devastating

CHICAGO, June 5 (UPI) -- U.S. medical societies say a child needs to be at least 12 years old to operate a lawn mower safely and at least 16 to operate a ride-on mower.

Doctors from the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children never be allowed as passengers on ride-on mowers and in general be kept a safe distance away from lawn mowers.

"Many children who sustain lawn mower injuries must undergo reconstructive surgery for months, sometimes years, after the initial accident," Dr. Richard D'Amico of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons said in a statement. "The look on parents' faces can be truly heart-wrenching. We are the physicians called to treat these devastating injuries, but (we) would do anything to prevent them in the first place."

Last year, approximately 16,200 children under 19 were treated for lawn mower-related injuries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

"Parents need to understand that lawn mowers can cause terrible devastating injuries to children's hands, feet or faces that can impact the rest of their lives," Dr. Neil Jones, president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, said. "The tragedy is that most of these injuries are totally preventable."