outdoor
living
Prevent
injuries
this
spring
BRAND X PICTURES
TIDYING UP YOUR home and yard is physically demanding—involving lots of bending,
stretching, lifting and climbing—especially
after a season that usually requires less
activity than usual. Every spring, according to
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
thousands of ladder-related, raking-related and
lawn-mowing-related injuries are treated in
hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and
clinics. Frequent injuries include cuts, bruises,
sprains and fractured bones, not to mention
pulled and sore muscles and injured backs.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (
www.aaos.org) urges people to take
the proper safety precautions to reduce the
number of spring-cleaning-related accidents.
Here are some of their guidelines for accomplishing spring-cleaning projects.
■ Stretch and perform proper warm-ups
prior to starting cleanup projects around the
home, such as painting or gardening.
■ Pace yourself: Don’t spend six hours at it
on the very first day.
■ Proper techniques for lifting, carrying
and bending should be part of any project.
■ Use a step stool instead of furniture
when dusting hard-to-reach areas.
■ Ladders used for chores such as washing
windows, painting, cleaning gutters and trimming trees should be placed on a firm, level
surface. Never place a ladder on ground or
flooring that is uneven, soft or wet.
■ Overreaching or leaning too far to one
side when working on a ladder can make you
lose your balance and fall. Your belly button
should not go beyond the sides of the ladder.
■ Don’t twist your body when raking.
Make sure to use your legs to shift your weight,
and switch sides often.
■ Before using your lawn mower for the
first time each season, have it serviced to
ensure it’s working properly. It is also important to wear shoes that fully cover your feet
when mowing the lawn.
■ Never use lawn and garden equipment
in damp or wet conditions.
■ Take frequent breaks, and replenish
yourself with fluids to prevent dehydration.
■ Rotate tasks to avoid overuse injuries.
■ Avoid kneeling for long periods of time. If
you must kneel, consider padding your knees.
■ If you experience chest pain, shortness
of breath or other signs of a heart attack, seek
emergency care, such as by calling 911. C
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3-Piece Wicker Balcony Set
■ Pieces are hand-woven out of maintenance-free all-weather
wicker over a sturdy frame.
■ Cushions are upholstered with stain- and fade-resistant
Sunbrella® fabric.
■ Set includes two lounge chairs with cushions and one side
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