The Most Important Thing Rockford Parents Need To Know About Riding Lawnmowers

Thousands of children are admitted to the hospital every year due to lawnmower injuries.

In fact, "Lawnmowers are sending nearly 13 children to the hospital every day" per AJC.com.

Some injuries are freak accidents while others seem completely avoidable. There has been a rash of reported injuries across the country this month, including one loss of life.

• A three-year-old Washington boy was killed after being run over by a riding lawnmower.
• Three days ago, a five-year-old Indiana girl lost her leg after being run over by a lawnmower.
• Last year, a three-year-old Iowa child was seriously injured after yet another lawnmower accident.

According to KCRG, "in 2016 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more than 4,500 children were taken to the ER because of lawnmower-related injuries."

Atlanta Journal-Constitution shared five expert tips from Nationwide Children's Hospital in order to prevent lawnmower-related injuries.

All five are useful, but this is, by far, the most important:

Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers and children younger than 6 years of age should be kept indoors during mowing. Never let children play on or near a lawn mower, even when it is not in use.

Next time you want to take the kiddo out for a spin on the riding lawnmower, think again.

Sweet Lenny is the brand manager of 97ZOK and Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Rockford. Catch him afternoons 3 to 7 on 97ZOK. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and like his page on Facebook.