stlmomsworld.com - Kay Quinn

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Gardening: Health and Hazards

Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies, and it just so happens, it's also good for your health.

Here's a picture of my impatients this year. This pot of flowers is on my deck. I went with bright pinks on the backyard deck this year and a red and yellow geranium and marigold theme in the front yard.

Numerous studies have proven that just working in the yard can contribute to your overall fitness.

One study in 2000 showed just gazing on a pretty landscape can improve your health.

With all of the overwhelming evidence of how it's good for you, I was interested to find a CDC web page that talked about the hazards of gardening.

Here are some of the dangers and how to avoid them:

LAWN MOWERS: In 2004, about 67,000 people went to the emergency room with injuries caused by push mowers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 14,600 were hurt on riding lawn mowers and garden tractors. Be asure to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and even consider protective glasses and something to protect your hearing.

SUNBURN: It's one of those things you don't think about. Maybe you bent down to pick a weed or two, and then two hours go by without you realizing how long you'd been in the sun. The best advice I've heard about sunscreen is from SLU dermatologist Dr. Dee Anna Glaser. She says she puts sunscreen on first thing in the morning, say after brushing your tetth. Then if you unexpectedly find yourself outside for a longer period of time than you had planned, you're protected. And find a good hat and wear it. I got one with SPF protection for a trip to Hawaii a few years ago, and still wear it.

INSECTICIDES AND WEED KILLERS: They come in such easy-to-handle spray bottles now, but you have to remember that's not glass cleaner in there. Wear gloves to keep chemicals off your hands and don't breathe in fumes.

BUGS: MOSQUITOES AND TICKS: Last week on several Newschannel Five newscasts we reported the discovery of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. No human cases have been reported yet, but with the discovery of the virus in mosquitoes, it's just a matter of time. Protect yourself by wearing insect repellant or long sleeves and long pants. I've gotten in the habit of doing this, and I'm sure the neighbors are wondering why I'm all covered up in the heat of summer. Keep in mind, last year, the state of Illinois reported 101 human cases of West Nile virus, four of them fatal. Repellant can also keep ticks from biting. They also carry diseases that can make you sick.

With all of this said, get out in the garden and enjoy! Summer has just begun, but it will be gone before you know it.

Here's that CDC web page on gardening safety.
http://www.cdc.gov/family/gardening/

Labels: gardening, safety

¶ 8:57 AM

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