Summer Safety Series: Gardening Safety
Gardening is a rewarding activity, but safety shouldn’t be forgotten! Here’s how to cultivate a healthy and hazard-free garden:
- Avoid repetitive motions:
- Digging, pruning, planting, and raking should be divided into 15-minute chunks and interspersed with other activities.
- Wear proper PPE:
- Protect your hands with a quality pair of gardening gloves and wear proper footwear to help combat fatigue and physical injuries.
- Protect yourself from sun damage:
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply regularly.
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and eyes.
- Avoid overuse injuries:
- Get ready to garden by walking a few laps around the garden and stretching.
- Lift heavy objects by bending at the knees–avoid anything that puts you in an uncomfortable position.
- Use proper gardening tools:
- Help lower your risk of injury by using the proper tools for each task.
- Be realistic about tasks and be gentle with your body:
- It’s important to be realistic about how long gardening tasks will take. Plan to work at a slow, comfortable pace, and take plenty of breaks to rest and hydrate.
Questions? heidi.fleming@desales.edu