If you're feeling a little sore after spending the weekend working in the yard, you're not alone.
Sometimes the simplest tasks can lead to injury. Mowing the lawn is hot and sweaty work, but it's also dangerous. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports more than 81,000 people were treated for lawn mower injuries in U.S. emergency rooms in 2004.
"A lot of times, we'll see people in bare feet that will get their toes caught in it or they will get something in their eyes," Dr. Deb Houry, of the Emory School of Medicine said.
J.D. Scott says when it comes to yard work, he tries not to do anything dangerous. But he may not be aware of the large number of ladder injuries in the U.S. Nearly 174,000 were recorded in 2004. Even raking your garden isn't without risk. In 2004 more than 26,000 ER visits were for raking and unpowered garden tool injuries.
"You may not always do the proper technique or use the proper equipment," Dr. Houry said.
That includes clothing and footwear, make sure power equipment is working properly and don't cut the grass or use a ladder when it's wet outside.
And don't forget to take your time when doing yard work. ER doctors see a lot of patients who admit they were injured rushing to finish their yard chores.
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