A lawn tractor can be a handy tool to keep your yard looking great. As with any tool, you must respect its power and use caution during operation.

For lawn tractors, these precautions are especially critical if children are in the area. Tragic accidents can happen in an instant.

You can severely injure or kill by running over a child with the riding mower- in forward or reverse - with the blades engaged, or when objects are hit and thrown by the spinning blades.

“The first step to reducing accidents is to have the mind -set that the lawn tractor is a powerful tool, not a toy, :” said Roger Leon of Husqvarna Outdoor Products, Inc. “It should be used only to accomplish outdoor chores and tasks when children are not present in the mowing area.”

As part of an industry-leading initiative, the world’s leading manufacturer of lawn mowers, Husqvarna, is including a bright yellow card and a “Kids and Mower’s Don’t Mix” key chain with each of its newly manufactured lawn tractors.

The card includes these guidelines for operating a mower:

“Know where your kids are. Keep kids away from the mowing area. Have adult supervision to prevent them from approaching the mower before you have finished. Stop mowing if a child approaches the mowing area.”

“Never give rides. A child may fall off the mower and into spinning blades. Giving rides may also cause the child to be attracted to the mower and the child may later approach without being seen.”

Use extreme caution in reverse. Keep alert for anyone who may enter the mowing area. Always look down and behind before and while backing up.

You should also read and follow safety instructions in your owner’s manual and remember to keep the keys to your mower away from children.

The brightly colored cards, with a replacement tractor key and key chain with a reminder that says, “Where are your kids?” are available at Husqvarna dealers and major retailers.

For more information about “Kids and Mower’s Don’t Mix” visit www.husqvarna.com

Article from Pascack Press, June 4, 2007 Issue