For instance, a chief master at arms was mowing his lawn in Norfolk, Va. While pulling the machine backward, he fell and pulled it up on his foot. The mower blades sliced off his big toe, cut two others, and gashed his foot. The chief was wearing flimsy plastic footwear, which provided very little protection against the spinning blades.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 75 deaths and 18,000 hospital-treated injuries occur each year from riding mower accidents and 37,000 hospital -treated injuries result from push mowers.

The Naval Safety Center recommends wearing strong shoes or boots when mowing the lawn - never flip flops or other flimsy shoes. Eye protection is also important, and long pants and sleeves are highly recommended.

Following the instructions in the operating manual and safety messages posted on the mower itself is also important. A Navy civilian, also based in Norfolk, cut off the tips of two fingers, severed muscles and tendons, and broke several bones after reaching into the mower's clogged chute without releasing the engine cut-off handle. This, in spite of the fact that the mower contained a warning sticker that read, “Do not reach in chute.“

Although mowing the lawn is already a chore most people would prefer to complete as quickly as possible, preparation is important. Pick up rocks, sticks, pinecones, and other debris from the yard before you start. Also make sure children know to stay away while you're mowing. Many injuries are caused by debris that strikes an onlooker, rather than the person actually doing the work.

Riding mowers are particularly dangerous. They aren't meant to carry passengers and should not be used for joy rides.