CINCINNATI — The lawn mower is one of the most dangerous household tools. 

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 253,000 people were treated for lawn mower-related injuries in 2010, nearly 17,000 of them children younger than 19. 

Most childhood injuries due to lawn mowers are related to riding mowers, and most are injured in their own yard.

“One important statistic to remember is that a significant number of these accidents occur among family members,” said Dr. Junichi Tamai, Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. “Most families think that if the child stays with a family member, everything will be OK, but that is not always the case.”

Most common injuries associated with mowers can include cuts, amputations, fractures, infections and skin defects.

Tamai and the American Academy of Pediatrics give these tips for staying safe around lawn mowers.

Child safety tips• Children younger than 15 should not be in the yard when someone else is mowing.• Children younger than 12 should not use walk-behind mowers.• Children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers.• Children or adults should never be allowed as passengers on ride-on mowers.

Mower safety itemsHere are some safety features to consider when buying or operating a lawn mower.• Allows automatic blade disengagement when the mower is placed in reverse.• Has a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is released.• Has a blade safety device for ride-on mowers that disconnects the blade from the power source when the operator leaves the operating position.

Safe operating tips• Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.• Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads or other areas.• Wear hard-soled, sturdy shoes around mowers not sandals or sneakers.• Wear hearing and eye protection when operating a mower.• Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins.