Take care when cutting grass, brush

With the weather warming up, it’s good to practice some basic safety measures as you pull out the mower and the electric shears to rejuvenate your landscape.

More than 200,000 people a year are injured in accidents related to lawn and garden tools, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Many of the injuries treated can be prevented, if people concentrate on the task at hand and use common sense when operating machinery,” says Dr. Maureen Finnegan, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Start by wearing sturdy shoes rather than sandals or flip flops. Before mowing, check the yard for potential problems like rocks and sticks that could be thrown by the blades. The whirling blades can send projectiles flying, as well as cut fingers, toes and feet.

“Always turn off the mower before you clear the blades if something is caught, so it doesn't end up being your fingers that are caught,” Dr. Finnegan says.

“If you do accidentally sever a finger or toe, it’s important to cleanse the amputated part with saline water, wrap it in gauze and put in a watertight bag,” she says. “Place the bag over ice and take it with you to the emergency room.”

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/orthopedics to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in orthopaedic surgery.

Media Contact: Russell Rian