Is My Child Ready To Mow?
Several adolescents will be embarking on a new chore around home, farm, or ranch over the next few months. Mowing the lawn is often one of the first chores involving gas-powered equipment. For many, mowing the lawn is viewed as a rite of passage, and for many teens can help earn extra income over the summer. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, every year in the United States more than 5,000 children seek treatment at an emergency department for injuries caused by power lawn mowers. Hazards exist for both the operator and bystanders, including rollovers, runovers, entanglements, sharp objects, collisions and projectiles. Therefore, to lessen the occurrence of an incident, proper training and guidance are essential.
Lawn Prep
As parents or trusted adults, one of the first safety lessons we can instill in children about mowing is the practice of preparing the yard before mowing. Doing this is also a great way to involve children and help them prioritize lawn mowing safety from a young age.
This first step includes removing any items that could be projected from the lawn mower and potentially cause harm to people, pets and property from items that may include balls, toys, rocks, sticks, etc. If you are familiar with baseball, you probably know that most major league pitchers can throw a ball 90 to 100 miles per hour (mph). Mower blades double that, as they spin at an average of 200 mph, allowing small pebbles or rocks to be launched nearly 100 feet (30 yards) with speeds reaching up to 180 mph.
Role Modeling Safety When Mowing
Another way to keep safety at the forefront is by not allowing extra passengers to ride mowers. While it may seem like innocent fun, or a tradition you experienced as a child, it can lead to potential risks in both the present moment, as well as the future. For example, by receiving rides, a child may view the lawn mower as more of a toy rather than lawn equipment and not fully understand its purpose, function and potential hazards. This could also lead to children wanting to run up and approach an operator while mowing, leading to runover due to limited visibility.
Always ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn as a safeguard from the blades, debris, the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and hearing loss. Appropriate PPE includes boots (or closed-toe, hard-sole shoes), long-pants, long-sleeved shirts, eye-protection, gloves, hearing protection, sunscreen and a wide brim hat. Wearing a dust mask can provide additional protection, as they can keep small grass particles thrown into the air that may contain lawn fertilizer, other chemicals, or potential allergens from entering your breathing space.
Here are a few general mowing safety tips:
Mow during daytime hours and when the grass is dry.
Never fill the gas tank while the engine is running or hot.
Always turn off the engine when clearing grass or debris from the chute.
Stop the mower whenever someone enters the area.
Use caution mowing around steep slopes or ditches.
Leave all the safety shields in place on the equipment, as they are there for your protection.
Keep toes and fingers away from blades.
Always model safe behaviors around lawn equipment. Your child will be more likely to value safety if you do as well.
Ages & Stages
In addition to considering maturity, good judgment, strength and coordination that the job requires, the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends specific ages to start mowing. Children should be at least 12 years of age to operate a walk-behind mower safely, and teens be at least 16 years of age to operate a riding lawn mower. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that young children stay inside when the lawn is being mowed. This protects them from injury from flying debris, as well as a catastrophic run-over incident if they approach the mower without the operator realizing it.
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health (NCCRASH) has developed Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines (AYWG). These guidelines were designed to help adults assess a youth’s abilities and assign both age- and ability-appropriate tasks to youth working in agriculture to prevent injuries and fatalities. For more information, visit https://cultivatesafety.org/work/.
Additionally, the Childhood Agricultural Safety Network (CASN) recently launched a youth lawnmower safety campaign with the creation of various resources, including posters and a free webinar held on May 16, 2025. To view the resources and a webinar recording, visit https://cultivatesafety.org/campaigns/mowing/.
Protecting our Future Generation
More than 50,000 youth participants took part in a lawn equipment safety station at a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) program in 2024. PAF Safety Day programs offers age-appropriate, hands-on learning experiences to children and families throughout North America. Now in its 30th year, PAF Safety Days continues to be recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. Since its inception in 1995, the program has reached millions of participants and volunteers. You, too, can join the mission and provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for all children, their families, and their communities. Visit www.progressiveag.org for more information and click on Get Involved to learn about volunteer opportunities, donating to the cause, or how to bring a PAF Safety Day to your local community.