Crofton Office

1657 Crofton Blvd, Suite 201

Crofton, MD 21114

(410) 721-4505

(410) 721-2394

Woodbridge Office

14010 Smoketown Rd., Suite 103

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 583-5959

(703) 890-4970

Chantilly Office

3914 Centreville Road, Suite 200

Chantilly, VA 20151

(703) 490-5599

(703) 583-5995

Sterling Office

46440 Benedict Dr., Suite 111

Sterling, VA 20164

(703) 444-9555

Lawn Mowers Can Put Your Feet at Risk!

The warm weather means more than fun in the sun. It also means caring for your lawn and fixing up your landscaping around your house. For those that maintain their lawns on their own, it’s important to be aware of the risks that come with using motorized landscaping tools like power mowers with rotary blades.  Thousands of Americans suffer power mower injuries each year, with hand and foot injuries topping the list of injury sites. Children younger than the age of 14 and older adults seem to be more likely to get injured.

At Crofton Podiatry, we put the safety of our patients first. The following are guidelines you can follow to prevent injuries while using a power mower:

  • Safety gear: Wear goggles, hearing protection, long pants and closed-toe shoes with gripped outer soles. Use protective gloves when putting your hand near the blades (Try to use a stick or something else instead of your hands if possible) to fix something or replace blades.
  • Weather: Only mow lawns in good weather. A wet lawn can put you at risk of slipping and injuring your foot.
  • Children: Keep children and pets away from the lawn while mowing or using other landscaping tools. They may run up to the machines without you realizing it. Do not allow them to ride on the lawn mower, and do not allow them to even sit on an adults lap while on a lawn tractor as they can get injured while getting on or off.
  • Clear the Lawn: Before you start mowing, clear the lawn of toys, branches, and other debris so that they do not become projectiles when caught in the rotary blades. Children should be at least 12 years old before using a lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a riding mower.
  • Power landscaping tools: Buy ones that have auto shut-off when your hands release the handle. You also need to get one that is appropriate to your landscape – steep hills are a no-no for riding mowers.
  • While mowing: Always keep the clip bag attached. Mow across and not up and down hills. Also, never mow backwards unless you don’t have any alternative as it is high risk for injury if someone is behind you.
  • Tool maintenance: The power tools should be stored away from high traffic areas and out of reach of children. Only adults should adjust blade settings. Power mowers can get very hot and cause an explosion or fire. Refueling when hot can lead to burns. Never service the mower while it’s running (including unclogging or unjamming the blades) – shut it off and let it cool down first.

Injuries from power landscaping tools should be treated promptly! Go to the emergency department for severe injuries. For strains or sprains from using mowers, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.

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Office Hours

(We have new hours as below!)

Crofton Podiatry

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-3:30 pm

Friday:

By Appointment Only

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed