13 Apr Spring Gardening Safety Tips
Spring has finally arrived, and as the weather turns from cold to warm, it’s time to start thinking about our gardens again!
The benefits of gardening are numerous as it can be a great workout, stimulate our creativity, and transform our diet by providing us with healthy fruits and vegetables. Safety, however, is very important, and there are a few risks to watch out for when you go out into the garden.
The first step to take before gardening is to stretch and warm up in order to prevent injury and get the muscles of your back, shoulders, arms, and hands ready. Remember to use proper lifting, squatting, and reaching techniques as these can also help to prevent injury. It is important to know your limitations and take short breaks as pushing yourself too hard can increase the risk of injury or heatstroke if you are out in the sun.
Wear the correct clothes in order to keep yourself protected from harmful chemicals, insects, and other outdoor hazards. It is advised to wear a wide-brim hat, gloves, long sleeves, work boots, and long pants as these articles of clothing can protect you from the sun and keep ticks and mosquitoes off of your skin. Remember to apply sunscreen and insect repellant, as well, and protect your hearing using earplugs.
Always make sure to read all safety instructions and warning labels on any tools, equipment, or chemicals, and make sure anything powered is in working order before attempting to use it. Statistics have shown that 230,000 people are treated for injuries in the emergency room for injuries related to lawn and garden tools each year, so it is best to stay safe and use common sense when working with any potentially dangerous machinery.
Gardening can be a great physical activity for the young and old alike, but as with anything, it is best to stay safe in order to avoid any unnecessary injury, contamination, or disease through improper dress or equipment use. If you follow these necessary precautions, your garden can be the envy of the neighborhood and you can provide yourself and your family with produce all throughout the year.
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