With spring’s arrival, your to-do list is likely full of chores, from giving your home a top-to-bottom buffing to de-cluttering closets and sprucing up your yard.
But before you spring into action, take a few moments to check out the following safety tips. Thousands of people in the U.S. get injured every year, sometimes seriously, tackling cleaning projects and yard work. Kettering Health Network doctors urge you to be careful during spring break activities to avoid a trip to the emergency room or to an orthopedic surgeon.
To help stay injury-free, follow these precautions when:
Using a ladder
• Always place your ladder on a firm, level and dry surface.
• Use a ladder appropriate for the height you need.
• See that the ladder is fully opened before stepping on it.
• Always have a buddy spot you; no going solo when climbing a ladder.
• Be sure your ladder isn’t near tree limbs or electrical wires when working outside.
• Never stand on the ladder’s top rung.
• Don’t lean too far to one side. To stay balanced, and avoid a nasty fall, be sure your belly button doesn’t extend beyond the ladder’s sides.
Mowing your yard
• Give your lawn mower a spring tune-up. When using it for the first time after winter, have it serviced so that it’s working correctly. Exercise caution when mowing the lawn:
• Use a stick or broom handle — never your hands or feet — when removing debris from a blade.
• Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes — never mow barefoot or in sandals or flip-flops.
• Don’t let children ride on a lawn mower or play near a running one.
Lifting
• If an object is too heavy or awkwardly shaped, don’t try to lift it by yourself. Get someone to help you.
• Always bend at your knees, tighten your stomach, and lift with your leg muscles as you stand up. Don’t bend at your waist.
• Position yourself close to an object before picking it up.
• Keep your head up.
It is important that you do not overexert yourself. Listen to your body. If you feel tired, stop and rest.
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