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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MOW A SAFE PATH: KEEP CHILDREN OFF MOWERS AND OUT OF THE AREA

ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 2001 -- With spring in the air, summer around the corner and consumers in the garden, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) issues strong reminders about safety. All summer long, millions of people will start up their riding mowers and other outdoor power equipment because they know this is the best and easiest route to beautifying their landscape. But, along the way, some may also start up some old, unsafe operating habits, and this is where they will unknowingly turn down a dangerous path ... toward the possibility of accidents, especially involving children.

The tendency to take kids for a ride on the mower is a careless, old habit. It was probably learned from adults who remember going for rides on lawn tractors when they were young, so they think that it's okay to ride with their kids too. But, with today's information explosion, this generation should not just be older, it should be wiser ... it shouldn't pass old, unsafe habits on to a younger generation. Riding with children on a mower was an unsafe practice a generation ago, just as it is today.

Riding mowers are designed for just that -- mowing while riding. Riding mowers provide many safety features for the operator, but they are not built for passengers.  Simply stated, children should not be anywhere near the operation of lawnmowers or the mowing area. This goes for all types of outdoor power equipment.

Furthermore, sometimes the media unintentionally adds to the problem -- occasionally a newspaper will picture someone riding happily on a mower with a child on their lap. It may be a cute picture -- but it sends the wrong message about mowing safely, and, hopefully, wise consumers will realize this.

Lawnmower racing is another careless habit with a direct route down a dangerous path. Consumers should remember, riding mowers are hard-working utilitarian machines with sharp cutting blades designed to do yard work. They were not designed for

racing -- even if the cutting deck is removed. Avoid the urge to treat them as such. A racing mindset could influence youngsters (as well as adults) to operate a riding mower carelessly which could lead to accidents.

Remember to "think safety with power in your hands", and, when operating any type of outdoor power equipment, practice these important do's and don'ts.

• Do read the manufacturer's operator's manual before operating.
• Do keep small children out of the mowing area, and preferably indoors under adult supervision.
• Do be alert and turn the mower off if children enter the area.
• Do, before operating in reverse, look behind and down for small children.
• Do not carry children. Riding mowers are designed for one operator only.
• Do not allow children to operate a riding mower.
• Do use extra care when approaching corners, shrubs, and trees.
• Do handle fuel carefully and avoid spilling when you're filling.
• Do wear the proper clothing -- long slacks and sturdy shoes.
• Do not drive a riding mower like a racecar -- it's a mower, not a racer.

Remember carelessness is the leading cause of accidents and that's why OPEI urges homeowners to keep their children on a safe path and always to "think safety" when operating any type of outdoor power equipment.

OPEI is a trade association whose membership is primarily composed of U.S. manufacturers of powered lawn and garden maintenance products, components and attachment supplies, as well as industry related services. OPEI's domestic members manufacture in excess of 95% of the U.S. consumer retail market for gas and electric powered lawn and garden maintenance products. For further information on safety and other related industry topics, OPEI hosts a web site on the Internet at http://opei.mow.org.

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