Do you think mowing the lawn when kids are playing outside is dangerous?

Question

my neighbor mows his lawn while his 2 and 3yo play out there. He has a bas to catch the clipings but I'd hate to see the kids get hurt. What do you think?

Answer 1

As long as he keeps a safe distance from kids its fine. My 3 year old follows his dad while lawn mowing with his toy lawn mower all the time.

Answer 2

Mowing the lawn can be a dangerous activity while young children are about. A small stone/stick or even toy could get caught up in the blade and fling out and hit one of the children. But if they are mowing at a reasonable distance away from the children then it's perfectly safe. I would advise your neighbour to mind when he is mowing near the children.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

As long as he is really careful and is sure they stay in his sight and shuts the motor off if they come up to him.
Maybe just do certain sections and have the children play in a sandbox that is covered when not in use or a separate area that is fenced in because of their age. But when I was 3, I knew not to even mess with car batteries and suck on pennies when I was told not to and very simplistic explanations of why not.
My daughter is much older and she goes outside. Nothing has happened to her with that. Also I come up to my husband when he mows, and he shuts the engine off out of courtesy. I did tell her do not get near him, and stay near the house where she'd be in sight.
I'd be more concerned if the kids went in the front of the house near the streets and the neighbor was mowing the back oblivious or if they were indoors alone at this age as they can use footstools on top of chairs to climb into cabinets over the stove or way high to get cleaning supplies or snacks that can be choked on. That is more dangerous I think than the kids being in his sight and him being careful, as burns, falls, poisonings, or even a bath tub drowing or a slip and hit on the head can happen and he won't know if he's outside. Also a kidnapper can come around a window or different door and get them if he is in a different section. I used to volunteer at a hospital, and 2 wee ones were brought in who got ahold of bleach. And there is a place where a girl was kidnapped right out of her grandparents' house from her bedroom and another girl whose whole family, including her, was killed.

Edit-----
Another idea is for him to get them a clubhouse or playhouse on the ground in a fenced in area of the yard that's in sight if his mowing with tarp on it and other age appropriate play things and 2 spill proff sippy cups. That way they will have shade from the hot sun and can be entertained and see him do his work and he can see them if they come out of the designated section.

Answer 4

I don't think its a good idea to let children play outside while their parent is mowing the lawn. I have my children stay in the house while my hubby does our lawn. I don't care if there is a bag on the mower, I still think its too dangerous. This is just my opinion, take it or leave it.

Answer 5

I think it's ok as long as they aren't playing right next to it. I have a push mower so that I can have my daughter outside while I mow and nothing will get thrown up at her. She knows to stay away and she's so cute, she tries to mow the lawn too, using her little broom.

Answer 6

My neighbor was mowing with his tractor and rock flew up hit our steel garage door and dented it. My kids have never played outside again while the lawn is being mowed.

Answer 7

It's fine I rock isn't going to fling out of a lawnmower to cause any harm otherwise we would have broken windows all over the place. I mean how often do people mow their lawns have you ever heard of any one being killed by it?

Answer 8

If the kids are playing in another section of the yard, well away from the mower they should be fine, but if they're close to the mower, there's the chance they can get hit with flying debree, even with a bag in place.

Answer 9

It's up to him, but I think he should keep the kids inside or somewhere safe.
If he's the only one home, he needs to keep them in sight while he mows. So it's a tough call.

Answer 10

Yes, it's dangerous. Something could go wrong even without the children there. The fact that there are children involved does increase the dangerous factor.