5 Ways to Protect Feet When Mowing

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It’s a sad fact, but each year over 80,000 people end up in the emergency room with a serious injury from mowing the lawn. At NY Foot Health, we know it’s the season for revving up the power mowers and want to offer some important reminders to help prevent foot and ankle injuries from this common chore.

  1. Wear shoes—You’re probably thinking, “Duh!” A larger number of foot accidents and toe amputations, however, occur to people who were mowing the lawn barefoot or in flip-flops. Keep in mind mower blades whirl at over 3,000 rotations per minute. Even canvas sneakers are no match for that kind of speed. Your best bet is a heavy work boot or other sturdy types of shoes.

  2. Never mow a wet lawn—slippery grass is the number one cause of losing control of a lawnmower.

  3. Don’t mow backward--Whether you’re using a push or riding mower, going backward is a dangerous proposition. Your field of vision and control of the mower are limited in reverse.

  4. Protect your children—It’s especially tragic when a child sustains an injury from a lawnmower. Don’t give your children rides on the mower—no matter how much they beg. Teach them the lawnmower is not a toy, and they should not touch it even when it’s not running. Many burns have occurred from mowers that have run recently, and the blades are sharp all the time. Make it a rule if you’re mowing the lawn, our children don’t approach you, or better yet, keep them inside.

  5. Keep the clip bag attached—You should always pick up sticks and other objects on the lawn before you mow and use the clip bag to catch anything you missed. Mowers have the power to shoot out objects at high speed, which can injure those nearby.

Treat all injuries promptly—Even minor cuts should be cleaned and bandaged promptly because of the dirt contained on the blades. If you suffer a more serious but non-emergent injury, be sure to get it evaluated by the podiatrist. Don’t have a podiatrist? Use our online directory to locate one near you. For more information on foot health issues, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.