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A plea for safety
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Published: May 1, 2009
An editorial of the Mooresville Tribune:
Most of us can only imagine the grief and worry gripping a Mooresville family after a horrific lawn mower accident maimed its youngest member, a 4-year-old boy.
Ashton and Cinamon Loyd and other family members are desperately counting on their faith to bring them and young Preston through this ordeal, which we documented in Wednesday's Tribune.
But despite the Loyds' many worries as their son fights for his life, the parents have taken time to plead with other parents to use extreme caution when operating lawn mowers ... especially when children live or play nearby.
Preston Loyd was severely injured when a riding mower backed over him. The driver, Preston's grandfather, did not know the boy was there. Other dangers involving mowers, though, can be lessened. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
· Try to use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is let go.
· Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
· Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Use a collection bag for grass clippings or a plate that covers the opening where cut grass is released. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.
· Make sure that children are indoors or at a safe distance well away from the area that you plan to mow.
· Make sure that blade settings (to set the wheel height or dislodge debris) are done by an adult, with the mower off and the spark plug removed or disconnected.
· Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
· Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher.
· Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.
Heeding these tips won't lessen the pain being felt by the Loyds. But it could help another family from having to suffer the same grief.
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