Autumn Chores Often Hazardous
SUNDAY, Sept. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Taking health and safety precautions when raking leaves, cleaning gutters and performing other outdoor chores can help prevent injuries, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
"Many people work vigorously in the yard during the autumn season, and it often takes a toll on your body," AAOS spokesman Dr. Laurence Laudicina, said in a news release from the academy. "Raking leaves and cleaning out the gutters are popular seasonal chores that can lead to falls or strain to your back and upper body."
In 2008 in the United States, about 617,000 people suffered injuries caused by rakes, other outdoor garden supplies and ladders, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission noted.
So to help avoid becoming one of those statistics, the AAOS offers the following autumn chore safety tips:
Warm up for at least 10 minutes with some stretching and light exercise before beginning work in the yard.
Use a rake that's comfortable for your height and strength. You can prevent blisters by wearing gloves or using a rake with a padded handle.
Make sure that hats or scarves don't block your vision, and watch out for large rocks, low branches, tree stumps or uneven surfaces.
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And, just think, between 1999-2002 over 2.1 million "reported" injuries occurred from falls off a ladder when cleaning rain gutters/roof repairs. That was the number "reported" how many were not reported?
That's why I use the Gutter Clutter Buster gutter cleaning attachment tool by which I can vacuum out all my gutters while standing securely on the ground. Check out their website at www.GutterClutterBuster.com and how this tool keeps folks off ladders, do gutter cleaning easier, faster, with less energy, and certainly safer! Even a "cavewoman can do it!"