#4. Accident Free Vegetable Growing Tips
Gardening injuries are too numerous to count; thousands of people end up in emergency departments across the country each year because of injuries sustained in the garden. The garden can actually be a very dangerous place if you are careless and show little regard for your own safety.
Do you own a lawn mower? That's the number one cause of gardening accidents it would appear. The lawnmower is a very dangerous piece of equipment. You will never believe what the second most dangerous thing in the garden is – the „harmless' flowerpot! This is followed by falling over gardening implements, cuts and lifting injuries.
Some of the reasons why accidents happen include a lack of skill or training to get the job done safely, taking shortcuts, ignoring potential risks, not planning and preparing properly. Of course there's just plain bad luck as well, when the proverbial „in the wrong place at the wrong time' happens!
The following tips on staying safe while gardening may sound too basic for words. However, these pointers are based on facts and it is true that all too often we forget to take the most basic precautions.
• When you plan your garden, do so in a way that eliminates the need for excessive maintenance and lifting
• Get rid of or fix loose pavers, uneven surfaces; do not leave unraveled hose pipes snaking across the vegetables; and put away or gardening implements like rakes and things
• Make sure the surface in your garden provides a good grip for your feet
• Stay out of the garden as much as possible when the weather is wet and the ground slippery
• Always put away your tools especially when you have kids and dogs around, both are equally curious
• Make sure all chemicals and insecticides are safe under lock and key, even the ones that say biodegradable and organic.
• When gardening, use safety equipment like heavy gloves and boots; wear safety goggles and a hard hat if you are building something in the garden
• Always use gloves when you garden; they protect your hands from skin infections, cuts and contaminants
• Use sunscreen when you are gardening, it will protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun
• If you plan to do a fair bit of gardening when the weather is hot, make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Take breaks and sit in the shade every so often. Dizziness and sunstroke can come on quite suddenly and without warning.
Practicing basic safety when gardening, and taking precautions rather than shortcuts will ensure you have all the fun growing your vegetables without the danger of accidents.