By Angelina Campanile

Lawnmowers kill more people every year than alligators, sharks, and bears. 

In fact, lawnmower accidents are responsible for the deaths of about 90 Americans and more than 35,000 hospital admissions annually, according to a report by lawn and gardening resource Lawn Starter, which analyzed data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 

Andy Kalnins, 44, found himself in the NorthShore Skokie Hospital Emergency Department last November after trying to multitask while operating his walk-behind lawnmower. The mower sliced off chunks of his right middle and index fingers as he tried to clear leaves that had clumped around the blade. 

“I thought I could keep the mower running with my left hand while cleaning the bottom with my right hand,” Kalnins, of Northbrook, said. “Clearly that didn’t go so well.”

Unlike injuries from kitchen knives or cutting tools, lawnmower blades are more likely to affect nerves, tendons, bones, and multiple fingers, said Daniel Lee, MD, a hand surgeon with the NorthShore Orthopaedic & Spine Institute. 

“The majority of patients who need reconstructive surgery like Andy after a lawnmower or snowblower accident are people who have the most experience with these machines,” Dr. Lee said. “They lower their guard, and turning on that autopilot is what lands them in the ER.”

Dr. Lee surgically reconstructed Kalnins’ fingers by redirecting the blood vessels and nerves in his fingers. He then covered the exposed soft tissue by grafting healthy skin from Andy’s palm and bicep. 

“I knew Dr. Lee really cared about me because he took the time to explain everything step by step,” Kalnins said. 

Between Dr. Lee’s surgical expertise and his mom’s “old-fashioned” remedies like manuka oil and pine bark extract, Kalnins said he’s feeling great and looking forward to getting back to work in the yard. 

If you injure yourself while working in the yard and lose some function in your hand, such as the inability to flex or extend fingers, or experience numbness, pain or swelling, get evaluated by a medical professional. These signs may indicate an underlying injury of a tendon, nerve or bone.

Tips to Prevent Yard Work Injuries

• Even if you’re a seasoned pro, it’s important to handle equipment with the same caution and care as if you were a novice. 

• Take your time. Set aside time for yard tasks so there’s no rush when handling sharp and heavy equipment. 

• Wear protective gear such as safety goggles, gloves, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and closed-toe shoes to protect bare skin from sharp tools and machine parts. 

• Refresh yourself on handling and safety procedures. Don’t assume you know how to operate new equipment based on past experiences. Every tool or machine can operate differently so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the machine to minimize risk of injury. 

• Take breaks. Yard work is tiring, and whether it’s playing a sport, shoveling snow, or mowing the lawn, you’re more at risk of injury when fatigued. Plus, you’re more likely to do quality work when you’re well rested, both mentally and physically. 

• Inspect your lawnmower or yard machine before powering on to remove any obstructive objects such as sticks, glass, metal, wire, rocks, and leaves that could lead to later injury or damage the equipment. 

• Ask for help. If you’re 40 or older, you’re at greater risk of lawn and garden injuries. Ask a younger family member or neighbor to assist you.