ATLANTA , Georgia ( CNN ) -- Andre Rives no longer mows his own lawn and it 's not because he 's too busy . The thought of cutting his grass brings back some bad memories . `` Man , did this just happen to me ? '' Andre Rives asked himself after losing three toes in a mowing accident . Rives , a 28-year-old cable technician from Ellenwood , Georgia , accidentally cut off three toes on his right foot two years ago while trying out his new riding mower . `` I was going too fast and my shorts got caught on the gear shift , '' Rives recalled . `` I came too close to the curb and I could n't stop . I ended up sliding off and my foot went under . '' Rives is one of 100,000 people in the United States in 2006 who suffered an injury in a lawn mower accident . The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons , which tracked the statistics , said the problem is more common than people think . The group reported most injuries occur among adults age 25 to 64 , followed by children under the age of 5 . More than 22 percent of injuries involved the wrist , hand or finger ; nearly 14 percent involved the foot , ankle or toes . `` Most of the time it 's a pure accident , '' said Dr. Marvin Royster with the Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic in Atlanta , Georgia . `` They slipped on the lawn mower , the grass was wet or the lawn mower overturned . '' Royster described some injuries , such as burns from touching the muffler , as mild . But other risks are greater ; a mower can eject a piece of metal , rock or wood up to 100 mph , he said . Health Minute : More on lawn mower risks » . In Rives ' case , the accident resulted in the amputation of three toes . Royster repaired some of the damage in the operating room but was unable to re-attach the digits . He met with Rives recently for a follow up visit . `` Andre is doing very well , '' the doctor said . `` He has a little trouble with running and getting up on the ball of his foot , but other activities , he 's able to do quite well . '' The Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons noted that most lawn mower injuries are preventable if some basic safety guidelines are followed . `` The main thing is you need to wear protective clothing , '' Royster cautioned . Wear protective goggles , gloves , boots and long pants . Never mow barefoot or in sandals . `` Mowing the grass with flip-flops on or sandals on , you 're just asking for trouble , '' Royster said . Have your lawn mower serviced before the start of the season to ensure it 's working properly . Do not remove any safety devices on the machine . Be sure to add fuel before starting the engine , not when it 's running or hot . The liquid could overflow or flame up . Finally , keep hands and feet away from the lawn mower blade even if the machine is turned off . Once cleared of an obstruction , a blade can swing around and cause injury . Rives realized immediately after his accident that he made a number of common sense mistakes . `` Even in the hospital , I 'd say 'Man , did this just happen to me ? ' `` He said he 's learned his lesson . His wife made him sell his riding mower after the accident . He pays professionals to mow his lawn twice a month . Rives said that in spite of having just two toes remaining on his right foot `` I am not having a pity party for myself . I have to keep going on . ''
100,000 people in U.S. suffered lawn mower accident injury in 2006 . Most victims are 25-64 ; more than 22 percent of injuries involve wrist , hand , finger . Wear protective goggles , gloves , boots , long pants ; never mow barefoot , in sandals .