Zero Turn Mower Accidents are one of the most common ways to spoil your summer plans.
Most lawn mower accidents occur when people are not paying attention to what they’re doing.
Inattention can lead to serious injuries, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and focus on the task at hand while operating a lawn mower.
All power equipment can be very dangerous if you’re not careful. Every year, thousands of people end up in the hospital because of lawn mower-related accidents. Some of these accidents are even fatal.
The majority of these incidents could have been easily avoided if only the operator had taken more care
Zero Turn Mower Accidents That Could You See
While many people love their zero turn mowers, there are some dangers that come along with it. One of the most common accidents is running over your own foot or leg.
This can happen if you are not paying attention to where your feet are, or if you misjudge the turning radius of the lawn mower.
Another danger is hitting a hidden object, like a rock or tree root, which can cause the lawn mower to flip over and land on top of you.
If you do find yourself in an accident while using a zero turn mower, make sure to seek medical help right away even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt.
Many injuries from these kinds of accidents may not be immediately apparent but could end up being very serious later on down the road.
In order to avoid any accidents while using your grass machine, always pay close attention to what’s around and in front of you as well as where your feet are at all times.
Accidents and the Statistics
Accidents happen. And, unfortunately, zero turn mowers are not immune to them. Here we’ll take a look at some of the statistics surrounding these accidents and what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic yourself.
In 2015, there were an estimated 19,200 emergency room visits due to injuries caused by zero turn mowers. Of those injured, approximately 75% were men and 25% were women.
The most common age group for injury was 20-24 years old (22%), followed closely by 45-54 year olds (21%).
The leading cause of injury was contact with the blade (33%), followed by being thrown from the lawn mower (27%).
Most injuries occurred while the victim was either operating the lawn mower (42%) or performing maintenance on it (39%).
Other activities such as riding as a passenger or walking near the running machine accounted for the remaining 19%.
Fortunately, most of these accidents are not fatal; however they often result in serious injury. In fact, amputations account for about 1 in every 5 ER visits stemming from accidents with zero turn mowers!
Head injuries are also quite common and can range from concussions to much more serious traumatic brain injuries.
So what can you do to avoid becoming one of these statistics? First And foremost – use caution! Be sure to read your owner’s manual thoroughly before operating any new machinery and always follow safety precautions when working around moving parts such as blades.
If possible, have someone else perform routine maintenance tasks such as sharpening blades so that you don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily
Who Gets Hurt
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated 4,200 injuries associated with zero turn mowers each year. The most common type of injury is a laceration, followed by fractures and amputations.
Children under the age of 16 make up a significant portion of those injured (approximately one-third), while adults over the age of 60 account for another third. Males are nearly twice as likely as females to be injured in a zero turn mower accident. There are several factors that contribute to the high rate of accidents and injuries associated with these types of lawnmowers.
First, Zero Turn Mowers (ZTM) operate at very high speeds – often reaching 10 miles per hour or more. This makes them difficult to control, even for experienced operators. Second, ZTMs have sharp blades that can easily cause serious injury if they come into contact with skin or bone.
Finally, many people do not take proper safety precautions when using these machines; for example, they may fail to wear appropriate eye protection or gloves while operating the mower..
How They Got Hurt
Most of us have seen those commercials for zero turn mowers that show people cutting their lawns at lightning speeds, boldly turning around tight corners without skipping a beat. They make it look so effortless and fun – like the ultimate way to get your yard work done quickly and easily.
But what these ads don’t show you is the potential for serious injury that comes with using a zero turn mower. Because they can move so quickly and change directions abruptly, there have been many reports of people being seriously injured while operating them.
One common type of accident occurs when the operator tries to turn too sharply and ends up flipping the lawn mower over on top of themselves. This can cause severe injuries, including broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.
Another danger inherent in these types of mowers is that they often lack effective safety features to prevent Zero Turn Mower Accidents from happening in the first place.
It is important to note that many models lack safety features such as seat belts and roll bars, which are essential for protecting operators in case of an accident.
Furthermore, some models continue to utilize traditional blades rather than the safer rotary blades. This can lead to severe injuries if someone accidentally comes into contact with the spinning blades at high speeds. Be sure to consider these factors when choosing the right zero-turn mower for your needs.
Lawn Mower Safety Tips
Most people who operate a zero turn mower do so without incident. However, there are always exceptions and accidents can happen. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming one of those statistics:
- Read the owner’s manual before operating the machine
- Get familiar with the controls and safety features
- Wear appropriate clothing while operating the mower
This includes
- closed-toe shoes
- long pants
- eye protection (goggles or sunglasses)
Be aware of your surroundings at all times while using the mower.
- rocks
- tree branches
Which could damage the blades or cause injury if struck by them. Also be on the lookout for children or animals that might dart into your path unexpectedly.
Why you should trust us
There are a lot of different lawn mowers on the market, and it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
Senior staff writer Zane Williams has done the homework and spent over 100 hours researching different types of mowers and talking to experts in the field like Justin Watkins of Earth Tones Landscaping.
And we’ve put together this guide to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
We only recommend products that we believe in and that we think will deliver value for money.
We also test each of the mowers ourselves before giving our final verdict – so you can rest assured that they meet our high standards.
Our goal is to help you find a lawn mower that suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle so that you can enjoy your backyard space worry-free.
FAQ’s
What safety features could i add to my mower?
Some safety features that can be added to a lawn mower include:
installing a dead man’s switch, which stops the blades from spinning when pressure is released;
adding a shield or guard over the blade to protect hands and feet from injuries;
ensuring that all moving parts are properly lubricated and free of sharp edges;
and regularly checking the mower for any damage or wear.
Are riding mowers or zero turn lawn mowers safer?
Riding mowers are typically considered safer than zero turn lawn mowers because they have less potential for rollover accidents.
How to properly inspect mower blades?
To inspect mower blades, remove the blade from the mower and visually inspect it for nicks, cracks or other damage.
If there is any damage, replace the blade.
what safety glasses are the best for riding lawnmowers?
The best safety glasses for riding lawnmowers are those that fit snugly to your face and have impact-resistant lenses.
