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Garden

Safeguards for the garden

By YVONNE SWANSON
Published January 28, 2006

It's easy to protect yourself in the garden:

- Wear gloves. They protect against cuts, scratches and other injuries and create a barrier so that bacteria are less likely to get into your system through an open wound. The National Gardening Association recommends leather or other high-quality impervious gloves for optimal protection. Inexpensive cotton gloves are fine for light work, but if you're working with compost, manure or doing major digging, wear sturdier gloves.

- Wash your hands with warm water and soap after gardening. Use a soapy fingernail brush to remove any debris that may be under nails.

- Wear closed-toe footwear. Going barefoot in the yard could put you at risk for exposure, especially if you have cuts. Sturdy footwear also will protect your feet from tool-related injuries.

- Wear a mask when working with compost, especially on a windy day. It will prevent inhalation of compost particles. - Bandage cuts or sores. Waterproof bandages provide a barrier and stay dry when working in the yard.

- Wear waterproof gloves when reaching into birdbaths, ponds or fountains.

- Immunize yourself against tetanus every 10 years. Since the late 1940s, children in the United States have routinely received an initial series of tetanus and diphtheria shots, followed by boosters every 10 years. If you've never had a tetanus/diphtheria vaccination or if you're not sure about your immunization status, ask your health care provider.

- Inform your health care provider about gardening activities. Knowing that you spend time around soil and plants could help your provider in diagnosing and treating health problems.

- Teach your children about soil safety. They should never eat the soil. Child-size gardening gloves are available at many stores.

[Last modified January 27, 2006, 10:48:05]