Q: My 10-year-old son wants to cut our grass with our 21-inch rotary mower. My husband says that he will be fine. I’m concerned that he is too young to operate a rotary mower safely. Do you have any suggestions for us?
A: Lawn mowers are one of the more common lawn care tools and need to be handled with safety in mind. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises that children younger than 12 should not use walk-behind mowers.
Physically, a child must be large enough and strong enough to easily start the mower, control the direction, operate controls and keep all four wheels on the ground. Regardless of age, you also should consider the responsibility and maturity level of your child. When you decide that your child is ready, sit down together and carefully read the owner’s manual. Make sure you both understand all the instructions and safety information. Supervision is very important. Walk with your child during the first few minutes of mowing or until they become confident and never let them use the mower without adult supervision. By always placing safety first, your child will acquire useful skills and a sense of accomplishment.
