Garden Safety

Gardening can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get physical activity, beautify the community, and grow nutritious fruits and vegetables. Whether you are a beginner or expert gardener, health and safety are important.

Dress to protect.

Gear up to protect yourself from lawn and garden chemicals, equipment, insects, and the sun.
Wear safety goggles, sturdy shoes, and long pants when using lawn mowers and other machinery.
Protect your hearing when using machinery. If you have to raise your voice to talk to someone who is an arm's length away, the noise can be potentially harmful to your hearing.
Wear gloves to lower the risk for skin irritations, cuts, and certain contaminants.
Protect yourself from diseases caused by mosquitoes and ticks. Use insect repellent containing DEET. Wear clothing treated with permethrin, long-sleeved shirts, and pants tucked in your socks. You may also want to wear high rubber boots since ticks are usually located close to the ground.
Lower your risk for sunburn and skin cancer. Wear long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, sun shades, and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Put safety first.

Limit distractions, use chemicals and equipment properly, and be aware of hazards to lower your risk for injury.
Follow instructions and warning labels on chemicals and lawn and garden equipment.
Make sure equipment is working properly.
Sharpen tools carefully.
Keep harmful chemicals, tools, and equipment out of children's reach.

Know your limits.

Talk to your health care provider if you have physical, mental, or environmental concerns that may impair your ability to work in the garden safely.
If you have arthritis, use tools that are easy to grasp and that fit your ability. Research shows that moderate physical activity three or more days a week can give you more energy and can help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness.
If you are taking medications that may make you drowsy or impair your judgment or reaction time, don’t operate machinery, climb ladders, or do activities that may increase your risk for injury.
Listen to your body. Monitor your level of fatigue, heart rate, and physical discomfort.
Call emergency if you experience warning signs of a heart attack (sweating, chest and arm pain, dizziness, and/or lightheadedness) or heat-related illness.

Enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

Gardening is an excellent way to get physical activity. Active people are less likely than inactive people to be obese or have high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, stroke, depression, colon cancer, and premature death.
Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. You can burn 150 kcalories by gardening (standing) for approximately 30-45 minutes. Kids should get 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days.
If you have been inactive, start out with just a few minutes of physical activity each day. Gradually build up time and intensity.
Vary your gardening activities to keep your interest and to broaden the range of benefits.

Source: CDC Office of Women's Health