Lawn Mower Accident Statistics and Facts

Lawnmowers are one of the most common tools you will find in every garage or shed – but they can be surprisingly dangerous! Our team compiled a list of 20 lawnmower accident statistics so you know everything there is to know about push and riding lawnmowers.

Usage Facts

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should be at least 12 years of age to operate a walk-behind power mower or hand mower safely and 16 years of age to operate a riding lawn mower safely. (healthychildren.org, 2018)
• In 2003, in response to the rising toll of these accidents, the mower industry adopted a voluntary standard for riding mowers. It requires the blades to stop spinning when the mower moves in reverse. (NBC News, 2019)
• The majority of lawnmower accidents happen on weekends, with Saturday being the most common day for these incidents. (Journal of Safety Research, 2019)
• The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) advises that you should never operate a lawnmower without protective eyewear and sturdy shoes.
• According to research, the average time it takes for a rotary blade in a power mower to cause an injury is 0.007 seconds. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances, 2018)
• Rear-engine riding mowers are generally considered less stable than other designs and have higher incidences of tip-over accidents. (Consumer Reports, 2019)
• Gasoline-powered lawn mowers account for the majority of accidents compared to electric or manual mowers. (Pediatric Surgery International, 2017)
• The majority of lawnmower accidents occur at home, rather than in commercial or public spaces. (Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 2016)

Damage Statistics

• In the U.S., more than 9,000 children go to the emergency room for lawn mower-related injuries every year. (healthychildren.org, 2018)
• In 2016, more than 86,000 adults and 4,500 children in the U.S. were treated in emergency departments for injuries related to lawn mowers. (aaos.org)
• The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates more than 37,000 Americans suffer a power mower-related injury each year. (foothealthfacts.org)
• On average every day in the United States, 13 children receive emergency treatment for a lawn mower-related injury. (sciencedaily.com, 2017)
• About 75% of lawnmower injuries require surgical treatment, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (aaos.org)
• Lawnmower injuries to the foot and ankle are often severe enough to require amputation. (foothealthfacts.org)
• Lawnmower accidents are the leading cause of traumatic amputations in children. (Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2018)
• Approximately 85% of lawnmower injuries are sustained by males. (American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2020)
• Fatalities related to lawnmower accidents are most often caused by head injuries or massive bleeding. (Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2017)
• Objects ejected by the lawnmower blades can travel at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, posing a risk to both operators and bystanders. (Journal of Trauma, 2019)
• More than 600 children undergo amputations each year due to lawnmower accidents. (Pediatrics, 2018)

Preventative Measures

1. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that operators use hearing protection when using a lawnmower for extended periods.
2. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers. (healthychildren.org, 2018)
3. Keeping the lawn free from debris like sticks and stones can help prevent dangerous projectiles.
4. The use of a “dead-man’s switch,” which immediately turns off the mower if the operator loses control, is advised by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.
5. A study in the Journal of Safety Research recommended that manufacturers consider including rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts as standard features on all riding lawnmowers.

Lawn mowers are one of the most dangerous pieces of yard equipment if not used properly. We recommend keeping young children and pets inside while mowing the lawn and double-check the engine and blades for potential problems and damage every time you mow the lawn.