Why families and farm communities must rethink when—and how—kids engage with lawn equipment.
As summer approaches and lawns begin to grow, families in agricultural communities face a safety issue that’s often overlooked: youth operating or being around lawn equipment.
A recent webinar hosted by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS) at Colorado State University has brought this topic into focus, highlighting the risks and promoting safer practices.
A Shift Toward Lawn Equipment Safety
The Center for Agricultural Safety and Health Network (CASN), which has historically led safety campaigns on topics like tractor and ATV use among youth, has turned its attention to lawn mowing safety.
After wrapping up their ATV safety initiative, they found through community needs assessments that lawn equipment injuries were an emerging concern—especially in rural areas where youth are often involved in outdoor chores.
“There was a real gap in youth-focused resources on this topic,” said Whitney Pennington, outreach lead at HICAHS. “We realized this was an area where we could make a meaningful impact.”
Why Lawn Equipment is Risky for Youth
Lawn mowers, especially ride-on models, may not seem as dangerous as tractors or ATVs, but they pose significant risks. Injuries can range from burns and lacerations to amputations and fatalities.
Children under 15 are especially vulnerable.
According to the experts featured in the webinar:
- Ride-on mowers are not appropriate for children under 12 to operate.
- Children under 6 should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
- Most injuries occur when young children are run over or fall off the mower.
- Youth often lack the physical size, strength, and judgment needed to safely handle equipment.
Prevention Starts with Education and Policies
A central theme of the webinar was the importance of setting age-appropriate tasks and boundaries.
Parents and supervisors need to assess whether a child is ready not just by age but by maturity, size, and ability to follow safety instructions. Clear policies—like “no extra riders” or “no operation under age 12”—should be enforced consistently.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of:
- Wearing proper footwear and protective gear.
- Inspecting the equipment before use.
- Keeping children and pets away from the mowing area.
Community Norms
In many rural households, having youth help with lawn care is seen as part of growing up.
However, this tradition can conflict with safety recommendations. “It’s not about saying no forever,” one expert explained. “It’s about saying ‘not yet.’”
The goal isn’t to restrict youth unnecessarily, but to match tasks with their abilities—and to keep them safe until they’re truly ready.
Resources and Next Steps
The CASN team is developing new educational materials tailored to youth and families, including videos, tip sheets, and checklists.
These resources will help fill the current gap and support parents in making informed decisions.
“We want to support communities, not shame them,” Pennington said. “With the right tools and information, we can reduce injuries and help youth stay safe while contributing at home.”
To watch the full webinar, or check out the new educational materials, head to CASN’s free online community.