Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about going outdoors to enjoy the warm spring weather. But it’s not all play. Warm weather also means there’s yard work to do, so make sure you do it safely.
Dr. Maureen Finnegan, an emergency room physician at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says the number of lawnmower-related injuries seen in emergency rooms goes up when the weather gets warmer — and most of these injuries are in children. Most lawnmower injuries can be prevented by following safety procedures. Keep kids away from the area when you’re mowing, and don’t let children operate the mower. Clear debris from the area before mowing, wear sturdy shoes with non-slip soles, and use a stick to clean debris from mower blades after you’ve finished the job.
###
May 2008
Health Watch is heard Monday through Friday nationwide on ABC Satellite Radio. Call your local radio station and ask if they carry the program.
