Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Summer 2021

Let’s be friends! Join us on social media to stay up to date with Sky Lakes news, stories and fun events! Look for Sky Lakes Medical Center on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and now also on Twitter ! Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No.44 2865 Daggett Avenue Klamath Falls, OR 97601 There’s a lot to love about gardening: the peace and quiet; the exercise; and the fresh, nutritious produce you get to harvest. Gardening is generally safe, but there are a few risks to keep in mind any time you’re working in a garden: Cuts and infections. Digging in the dirt can sometimes cause cuts and scrapes, which may have the potential to get infected with tetanus (lockjaw) bacteria. A good pair of gloves will help guard against these injuries, as well as protect you from blisters and exposures to any garden chemicals you use. Sunburns and skin damage. Don’t forget to protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays, which can raise your risk for skin cancer. Wear a wide-brimmed hat; a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt; long pants; and sunglasses when outside. And always apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Accidents. The right tools are essential for a great garden. But using them increases the risk of injuries to yourself or others. Be sure to keep sharp tools away from kids, and if the tools have safety locks, keep the locks on when not in use. Tools are also safer (and the work easier) when you use them for their intended purpose. Before using power tools, take the time to read the instructions. Overuse injuries. Aches, pains and blisters can happen when you make the same motions (like shoveling, raking or pruning) over and over, especially if you aren’t used to the activity. To help prevent these issues, switch to a new task every 15 minutes. And take breaks to rest and hydrate. Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; American Society for Surgery of the Hand; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Get your garden going safely KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW Give safety a green thumbs-up! Check out more safe gardening practices at SkyLakes.org/Garden-Safety .