A group of Children's Hospital physicians have expressed concern about an upcoming "lawn mower race" that includes young drivers.
The Scenic City Lawn Mower Riding Association and Savannah Valley Speedway are hosting a lawn mower racing event to benefit Chattanooga Autism Center’s “Art & Autism” program on Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. The race track is located at 10515 Highway 58, next to Goodner’s Equipment, 4.5 miles north of Mahan Gap Road.
The Children's Hospital group said, "As representatives of the Pediatric Physician Faculty, Children’s Hospital Leadership and the Pediatric Trauma Team at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital, we are expressing our concerns about an upcoming 'lawnmower race' that is currently being promoted as a family-friendly event.
"Every year, before the summer starts, our Safe and Sound Injury Prevention team attempts to re-educate the public that lawnmowers are not toys, and children are not safe around them. Every summer we have at least one serious accident, usually many more, involving a child riding with someone on a lawnmower. These accidents usually involve the loss or partial loss of toes, feet, fingers, hands, and eyesight. Whenever a beautiful child suffers the pain of losing a limb, then goes through surgery, and finally lives with a prosthesis for the rest of his/her life, we all are saddened at the senselessness of this type injury.
"A 'lawnmower race' sends absolutely the wrong message to children and their parents. The event showcases lawnmowers as something to 'have fun on'. To the contrary, lawnmowers are potentially dangerous pieces of equipment and should strictly be used according to the manufacturer’s operating manual - which clearly recommends against their use by anyone 16 or under.
"Racing lawnmowers at speeds up to 70 miles per hour only encourages children to 'try that at home'. We are sure that the folks hosting the event were only trying to have a fun unique event, but they need to be mindful of the message they send to our children.
"Please do not give your children rides, or even let them even be outside when you are mowing. Teach them the dangers of running up behind a person on a riding or push mower. Do not let children operate a riding lawnmower until they are old enough to drive a car; many children have been seriously injured when lawnmowers have turned over on them. There are so many aspects of our lives we have no control over, but this is one that we can. Please help keep our children safe by discouraging events of this type."
Barry Goodner, director of the Scenic City Lawn Mower Riding Association, said the non-profit group has been holding about eight such races a year for the past several years.
He said no child has been hurt at the races, though he said one adult sprained an ankle and another cracked a collarbone.
Mr. Goodner said the blades are removed from the lawn mowers. He said those who participate wear helmets, neck braces and leather shoes over their ankles. The lawn mowers are
set to turn off if the driver leaves the seat.
He said the drivers are as young as seven years old.
The Children's Hospital letter was signed by:
Alan E. Kohrt, MD FAAP
Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga
Senior Medical Director
TC Thompson Children's Hospital
910 Blackford Street
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Mike Carr, MD FAAP
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga
Marisa Moyers, RN
Pediatric Trauma/Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center Coordinator
TC Thompson Children’s Hospital
Cindy Rhodes, RN MSN
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Administrator TC Thompson Children's Hospital
Woods Blake, MD
Thomas Bruns, MD
Annamarie Church, MD
Regina Gargus, MD
Janara Huff, MD
Amanda Joseph, MD
Paul Knowles, MD
Doug Laman, MD
Mark Parsons, MD
Marla Sammer, MD
Kourtney Santucci, MD
Jeremy Screws, MD
Cathy Stevens, MD
Mihail Subtirelu, MD
Drago Tolosa, MD
Peggy Wilkins, MD
Jason Zurawick, MD