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Yard Work Safety
Warm up before you start. Raking is a workout! It uses muscles in almost every part of your body -- arms, legs, chest, and lower back, just to name a few. Walk around the yard, try some gentle stretches and bends, and do some circular arm movements before you start raking.
Wear layers. It doesn't matter how cold it feels -- once you've worked up a sweat, you'll regret bundling up. Wear a jacket or windbreaker over your sweater, so you can take it off and throw it on the porch when you start feeling warm.
Watch your posture. Stand with your feet wide apart, grip the handle of the rake towards the end with one hand and three-quarters of the way down with the other, and turn your whole body when you rake ... don't turn just at the waist. Stand as straight as is comfortable for you.
Switch sides. You know how one arm tends to feel more tired than the other when you're done? Raking on one side can cause injuries from repetitive stress. Switch off sides every ten minutes or so to avoid strain on one side of the body.
Take your time. Take breaks every 10 or 20 minutes, stretch a bit, and drink some water. This is especially important if you're not used to yard work or heavy exercise.
Cool down. Do some more gentle stretches when you're done. If someone offers you a back rub, say "yes" (of course!), and consider treating yourself to a warm bath afterwards. Don't let your muscles stay stressed, especially in cooler weather.
This news arrived on: 09/12/2006
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