Gardening is a favorite pastime of many people, particularly during the spring and fall months. It can create beautiful landscapes, lovely decorations, and bountiful harvests. Much like any other activity that involves the great outdoors, there are some risks involved. Whether it is physical strain, handling tools, or mixing chemicals, gardeners should be aware and take precautions. Sure you may think that you are a great gardener and that you think you know how to handle even the smallest tasks, but it never hurts to be safe.
Accidents can happen to anyone, even the celebrities. Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd knows all too well how easily a simple task can take a wrong turn. Years ago, Brandon was repotting a plant and stepped on the original broken pot. The result was a severly severed Achillies tendon. Do yourself a favor and follows these few simple steps to protect yourself. Once you are protected you can resume your love affair with your garden.
Knees, Back & Elbows.
Gardening can do a real number on your back and joints. The constant bending, kneeling, and movement of the arms can cause muscle cramping, back and knee strain, and even tennis elbow. Stand up straight regularly when gardening and stretch beforehand. Use kneeling pads that will make surfaces softer and easier on the knees. Do not make too many repetitive motions if your elbow begins to ache. Straighten the arms and legs out often while gardening intensely. If you are really wanting to get into gardening and enjoy it then you are going to need to condition your joints in the same way that you would prepare for any other athletic event.
Tools.
When you are gardening there are a variety of tools that you can use that can be very dangerous. Most of the time people injure themselves from just being careless around these tools. Before you use any tool it is important that you read any safety information and make sure you understand how to properly use it. You also need to lock all blades that are not in use. It may seem redundant but it is better than cutting yourself. No matter how hot it may be or un attractive, make sure you wear all proper safety gear. This can include gloves, goggles, or even appropriate clothing. If you are using a tool that has a cord make sure that you keep the cord out of the way. If you still do not see how dangerous gardening can be, think about this interesting statistic: more than 300,000 people injur themselves severely enough gardening in the United Kingdom that they need to go to the hospital. Curious about which tool will land the top spot? It would appear that people just do not know how to use lawnmowers properly. These tools can cause serious damage to your body. Make sure that you always wear tennis shoes and that you are aware of the dangers.
Chemicals.
There are various chemicals that you may come in contact with when you are gardening. Some will help your yard and some will help your garden flourish. You should always handle chemicals with care. Read the instructions and make sure that you are not exposing yourself to anything that could be harmful. If there is recommended gear to wear, make sure that you are wearing it. Many people hae now opted to grow their gardens organically. Whether you are planting flowers or trying to grow your own vegetables, by using organic chemicalsyou will know that you are protecting yourself and the environment.
