Stay Safe in Your Garden

Many people use gardening as a way of staying stress free, exercising, and providing healthy foods for the dinner table. Gardening can also give you excessive sun exposure as well as put you in an environment with insects, equipment, and harsh chemicals. Here are great tips on how to stay safe while tending to your garden.

Warm Up

Take a walk around the block, around your house, or around the backyard a few times before starting to garden. Don't spend more than 5-10 minutes warming up. This will help your muscles and body get ready for pushing wheelbarrows full of plants, dirt, or rocks.

Stretch

Just like warming up before you garden you need to stretch after you are done. Take 5 minutes and do some simple arm and leg stretches. This will stop your muscles from bunching up and hurting later.

Remember Your Back

Remember not to strain or injure your back. Watch your body mechanics and posture when raking, lifting, mowing, hoeing, or bending. Try not to bend at the waist to pick your vegetables but instead kneel on one knee and switch knees as needed for comfort. Get a soft cushion or pillow to kneel on. Stay safe and be careful when lifting heavy bags or items such as dirt and yard waste.

Use Equipment Properly

Using lawn and garden chemicals and equipment properly is important. Safety goggles, long pants, gloves, and shoes should be worn when moving, tilling, and using tractors or other equipment. Read and follow all directions. Pesticides need to be used according to manufacture guidelines only. Wear masks if needed around chemicals. Remember to wash your hands after handling chemicals.

Tetanus Vaccine

Tetanus lives and thrives in the dirt and can enter your skin through even the tiniest of sores or cuts. Make sure your vaccine is current. Adults should have a tetanus shot every 10 years. People who garden are at a higher risk because of all the exposure to dirt so a tetanus shot can benefit you greatly.

DEET Insect Repellent

Tell those bugs to buzz off. Use insect repellent that contains DEET. Remember to wear long sleeves and pants. Tuck the ends of your pants into your socks. If you are using a repellent and have any questions call the National Pesticide Information Center for free at 1-800-858-7378.

Protect Yourself

The sun and heat can not only cause painful burns but it also increases your risk of skin cancer. Long sleeves, long pants tucked in your socks, sun screen SPF 50 or higher, and hat with a brim should keep the sun off you. Try using Chap Stick with sunscreen and wearing sunglasses. Bring water outside to drink and stay hydrated. Frequent breaks will also help you stay cool.