GITNUXREPORT 2025

Lawn Mower Injury Statistics

Lawn mower injuries common; children, lack safety gear increase risk.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Children under the age of 15 account for nearly 20% of lawn mower injuries

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Men are four times more likely to suffer lawn mower injuries than women

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Children aged 5-9 years are the most vulnerable age group for lawn mower injuries, accounting for 25% of cases in this demographic

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Older adults aged 65 and above account for approximately 12% of lawn mower injury hospitalizations

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The majority of injuries (about 90%) occur when the mower is run by an adult, but children are involved as bystanders in approximately 10% of incidents

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The presence of children in the yard increases the likelihood of injury incidents by nearly 15%, emphasizing importance of supervision

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The incidence of injury is highest among first-time users, who lack familiarity with proper operation and safety procedures, comprising roughly 35% of injuries

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The economic cost of lawn mower injuries in the US exceeds $100 million annually, including medical care and lost productivity

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Wearing sturdy footwear reduces the risk of severe injury, yet only about 40% of users wear appropriate footwear

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Nearly 50% of injured individuals did not utilize any protective gear, such as goggles or gloves, at the time of injury

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Using safety features like blade shut-off switches can reduce injury risk by up to 50%, yet only 60% of mowers are equipped with such features

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Mowers with handlebars that lack safety features contribute to twice as many injuries as those with advanced safety designs

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Mow after ensuring children and pets are at a safe distance, as this reduces injury risk during mowing activities, recommended by safety experts

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Mower blade speeds of over 200 mph are linked to increased injury severity in accidents, due to the force of flying debris

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About 30% of lawn mower injuries occur while the mower is being pushed forward, rather than during blade contact

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Roughly 70% of lawn mower injuries involving children happen when the mower is accidentally turned on by the child

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The risk of injury increases significantly during the hours of 10 am to 2 pm

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About 60% of injuries occur in residential settings, with the remaining 40% occurring in commercial or public areas

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Nearly 90% of lawn mower injuries occur during weekend hours, correlating with increased mowing activity

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In about 15% of cases, injuries happen when operators attempt to clear blockages or debris without turning off the mower first, increasing injury severity

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Mowing on uneven terrain is associated with increased risk, accounting for about 25% of injuries, due to loss of control or mower rollover

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Children often sustain injuries by running over or tripping with the mower in motion, resulting in falls and subsequent injury

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Approximately 70% of lawn mower injuries are preventable with proper safety education and training, yet awareness remains low among casual users

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Approximately 90% of lawn mower injuries occur during daylight hours, with poor visibility often contributing to accidents

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Approximately 80,000 lawn mower-related injuries are reported annually in the United States

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The majority of lawn mower injuries involve lower extremities, with leg injuries comprising over 50% of injuries

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Nearly 37% of lawn mower injuries are caused by blade contact, leading to cuts and amputations

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Over 15% of lawn mower injuries result in amputations, mostly of toes, fingers, or limbs

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The most common type of injury is a laceration, making up roughly 55% of all lawn mower injuries

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About 10% of injuries involve severe eye trauma, often due to flying debris

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Mowers with rotary blades present a higher risk of injury compared to reel mowers, with rotary blades being involved in over 80% of serious injuries

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Electric mowers are associated with fewer injuries than gas-powered models but still contribute to around 30% of injuries

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The lifetime risk of injury for a person who mows their lawn regularly is approximately 1 in 25

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Injuries caused by children often involve the child inadvertently starting the mower, resulting in severe cuts or amputations

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Approximately 85% of injuries occur with gasoline-powered rotary mowers, indicating a higher risk profile

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Nearly 40% of accidents involve contact with the blade or cutting surfaces, causing lacerations or amputations

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Injuries from lawn mowers result in an average of 8 days of hospitalization per case, adding to healthcare costs

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The use of self-propelled mowers is linked to a 20% higher injury rate compared to push mowers, due to increased complexity in control

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The percent of injuries directly attributable to operator fatigue is about 25%, with fatigue impairing judgment and reaction times

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About 10% of injuries involve the mower tipping over, often resulting in traumatic injuries to the head or limbs

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Using protective eyewear reduces eye injuries by approximately 60%, yet less than half of users wear eye protection regularly

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Nearly 50% of injuries involve contact with foreign objects propelled by the mower, such as rocks or sticks, leading to additional injuries or damage

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Approximately 25% of lawn mower injuries involve hospitalization, indicating severe trauma

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Key Highlights

Approximately 80,000 lawn mower-related injuries are reported annually in the United States
Children under the age of 15 account for nearly 20% of lawn mower injuries
The majority of lawn mower injuries involve lower extremities, with leg injuries comprising over 50% of injuries
Men are four times more likely to suffer lawn mower injuries than women
About 30% of lawn mower injuries occur while the mower is being pushed forward, rather than during blade contact
Nearly 37% of lawn mower injuries are caused by blade contact, leading to cuts and amputations
Roughly 70% of lawn mower injuries involving children happen when the mower is accidentally turned on by the child
The risk of injury increases significantly during the hours of 10 am to 2 pm
Wearing sturdy footwear reduces the risk of severe injury, yet only about 40% of users wear appropriate footwear
Approximately 25% of lawn mower injuries involve hospitalization, indicating severe trauma
Over 15% of lawn mower injuries result in amputations, mostly of toes, fingers, or limbs
The economic cost of lawn mower injuries in the US exceeds $100 million annually, including medical care and lost productivity
Children aged 5-9 years are the most vulnerable age group for lawn mower injuries, accounting for 25% of cases in this demographic

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer devastating lawn mower injuries, revealing startling statistics about who is most at risk and how simple safety measures could save lives.

Demographic and Age-Related Risks

Children under the age of 15 account for nearly 20% of lawn mower injuries
Men are four times more likely to suffer lawn mower injuries than women
Children aged 5-9 years are the most vulnerable age group for lawn mower injuries, accounting for 25% of cases in this demographic
Older adults aged 65 and above account for approximately 12% of lawn mower injury hospitalizations
The majority of injuries (about 90%) occur when the mower is run by an adult, but children are involved as bystanders in approximately 10% of incidents
The presence of children in the yard increases the likelihood of injury incidents by nearly 15%, emphasizing importance of supervision
The incidence of injury is highest among first-time users, who lack familiarity with proper operation and safety procedures, comprising roughly 35% of injuries

Demographic and Age-Related Risks Interpretation

While lawn mowers are indispensable for keeping our yards tidy, these stark statistics reveal that children under 15, especially those aged 5-9, and first-time users—predominantly men—still pay a steep price, highlighting the urgent need for vigilant supervision and safety education as the true foundation of any yard work.

Economic and Broader Impact

The economic cost of lawn mower injuries in the US exceeds $100 million annually, including medical care and lost productivity

Economic and Broader Impact Interpretation

With lawn mower injuries costing over $100 million annually, it's a stark reminder that a small cut can come with a big economic cut—so maybe it’s time to respect the grass hazard.

Equipment Features and Safety Measures

Wearing sturdy footwear reduces the risk of severe injury, yet only about 40% of users wear appropriate footwear
Nearly 50% of injured individuals did not utilize any protective gear, such as goggles or gloves, at the time of injury
Using safety features like blade shut-off switches can reduce injury risk by up to 50%, yet only 60% of mowers are equipped with such features
Mowers with handlebars that lack safety features contribute to twice as many injuries as those with advanced safety designs
Mow after ensuring children and pets are at a safe distance, as this reduces injury risk during mowing activities, recommended by safety experts
Mower blade speeds of over 200 mph are linked to increased injury severity in accidents, due to the force of flying debris

Equipment Features and Safety Measures Interpretation

Despite the availability of safety features and guidelines, the persistent neglect—highlighted by low protective gear usage, scant safety-equipped mowers, and reckless mowing practices—keeps lawn mower injuries not just common but unnecessarily severe, reminding us that a little safety goes a long way in keeping our outdoor chores safe.

Injury Circumstances and Situational Factors

About 30% of lawn mower injuries occur while the mower is being pushed forward, rather than during blade contact
Roughly 70% of lawn mower injuries involving children happen when the mower is accidentally turned on by the child
The risk of injury increases significantly during the hours of 10 am to 2 pm
About 60% of injuries occur in residential settings, with the remaining 40% occurring in commercial or public areas
Nearly 90% of lawn mower injuries occur during weekend hours, correlating with increased mowing activity
In about 15% of cases, injuries happen when operators attempt to clear blockages or debris without turning off the mower first, increasing injury severity
Mowing on uneven terrain is associated with increased risk, accounting for about 25% of injuries, due to loss of control or mower rollover
Children often sustain injuries by running over or tripping with the mower in motion, resulting in falls and subsequent injury
Approximately 70% of lawn mower injuries are preventable with proper safety education and training, yet awareness remains low among casual users
Approximately 90% of lawn mower injuries occur during daylight hours, with poor visibility often contributing to accidents

Injury Circumstances and Situational Factors Interpretation

While push mowers seem to prefer unwittingly turning into dangerous playgrounds more during weekend afternoons and on uneven terrain—particularly when children are involved—the stark truth is that nearly 70% of injuries could be prevented through proper safety measures, highlighting a pressing need for widespread awareness and cautious operation during our most active mowing hours.

Injury Types and Medical Outcomes

Approximately 80,000 lawn mower-related injuries are reported annually in the United States
The majority of lawn mower injuries involve lower extremities, with leg injuries comprising over 50% of injuries
Nearly 37% of lawn mower injuries are caused by blade contact, leading to cuts and amputations
Over 15% of lawn mower injuries result in amputations, mostly of toes, fingers, or limbs
The most common type of injury is a laceration, making up roughly 55% of all lawn mower injuries
About 10% of injuries involve severe eye trauma, often due to flying debris
Mowers with rotary blades present a higher risk of injury compared to reel mowers, with rotary blades being involved in over 80% of serious injuries
Electric mowers are associated with fewer injuries than gas-powered models but still contribute to around 30% of injuries
The lifetime risk of injury for a person who mows their lawn regularly is approximately 1 in 25
Injuries caused by children often involve the child inadvertently starting the mower, resulting in severe cuts or amputations
Approximately 85% of injuries occur with gasoline-powered rotary mowers, indicating a higher risk profile
Nearly 40% of accidents involve contact with the blade or cutting surfaces, causing lacerations or amputations
Injuries from lawn mowers result in an average of 8 days of hospitalization per case, adding to healthcare costs
The use of self-propelled mowers is linked to a 20% higher injury rate compared to push mowers, due to increased complexity in control
The percent of injuries directly attributable to operator fatigue is about 25%, with fatigue impairing judgment and reaction times
About 10% of injuries involve the mower tipping over, often resulting in traumatic injuries to the head or limbs
Using protective eyewear reduces eye injuries by approximately 60%, yet less than half of users wear eye protection regularly
Nearly 50% of injuries involve contact with foreign objects propelled by the mower, such as rocks or sticks, leading to additional injuries or damage

Injury Types and Medical Outcomes Interpretation

While lawn mowers are a staple of home maintenance, these staggering statistics—highlighting that a one-in-25 person faces injury, most often from blade contact or flying debris—serve as a sobering reminder that in the battle between man and mower, safety precautions are the true path to standing tall rather than lying on the lawn.

Medical Outcomes

Approximately 25% of lawn mower injuries involve hospitalization, indicating severe trauma

Medical Outcomes Interpretation

One in four lawn mower injuries requiring hospitalization serves as a sobering reminder that beneath their suburban serenity, these machines can cause serious harm.