Over 100 million people in the U.S. claim to love spending time in their garden. While a peaceful and fulfilling pastime, gardening can also put those who love to toil in the plants and soil in danger of injury or illness. If you love sharing your garden with family and friends, it’s a good idea to ensure that your environment is safe to prevent injuries that could require legal advice from Johnson Groninger. A wobbly garden stone or trip hazard could quickly turn a lovely afternoon spent in the garden into a trip to the emergency room.
Gardeners who love to work in their gardens often use sharp tools that could cause injury, work with dangerous chemical pesticides and fertilizers, along with spending hours in the hot sun. To get the most out of spending time in your garden, it’s important to remember a few simple safety tips. Let’s look at a few ways to stay safe while enjoying time in the garden:
WEAR PROTECTION
Toiling in the garden can be relaxing, but it should be remembered that you are at the mercy of the elements and your gardening tools. A deep cut from a pair of pruners or a chemical burn on your hands from fertilizer exposure can quickly put you out of commission. To stay safe in your garden, you must use the right protective gear, such as:
• GLOVES – Cover your hands when using pesticides or fertilizers
• SUN HAT – A wide-brimmed sun hat will protect you from the sun
• SUNSCREEN – Wear a minimum of 30 SPF to avoid burning
• SAFETY GLASSES – Protect your eyes when pruning or working with chemicals
• MASKS – It’s also important to protect yourself by wearing respirator masks during gardening to avoid chemicals in the air getting into your lungs.
AVOID REPETITION
Gardening is hard work that requires a lot of repetitive movements like pruning, digging, and twisting. Small repetitive movements of the hands and arms can quickly cause strain or injury to your ligaments and tendons. If you notice your arms, wrists, and hands getting tired, take a quick break or switch to another activity to avoid unnecessary strain. You may want to wear arm, wrist, or elbow braces if you have existing joint issues.
LIFT SMART
Moving planters, transferring bags of soil, and lifting pails of soil is heavy gardening that can take a toll on your back if you aren’t using the right lifting methods. It’s essential to know your limitations and use appropriate tools like a plant trolley or wheelbarrow as you work. If you must lift something, make sure to always leave your load’s brunt to your leg muscles and rise with a straight back. Wearing a back brace in the garden is an excellent way to remind yourself about back safety and to give you extra support. For hefty lifting, it’s always best to get the help of a second set of hands.
SECURE WALKWAYS
It only takes a second to have a fall in the garden. If you have pathways or aisles in your garden, they need to remain clear and in good repair at all times. Garden stones or tiles can shift with age and time and become unstable. If your pavers are wobbly or your pathway has uneven surfaces, it can quickly result in a dangerous trip hazard.
STAY HYDRATED
Your plants aren’t the only things in the garden that need to be properly hydrated. When you are spending several hours outdoors in the heat, you must get enough water to drink. Keep a water tumbler close at hand to sip at while you work. Watch for signs of dehydration, including dizziness, nausea, or headache while you work.
For those who love to work in their beautiful gardens, staying safe is the best way to enjoy the hobby for years. Always make sure to lift correctly, cover up with protective equipment, ensure your pathways are secure and drink enough water while you are enjoying the work of being a proud gardener.