According to HealthGrove, an average of 73,825 injuries occur each year as a result of accidents involving garden tools, a figure excluding injuries from lawnmowers! Furthermore, the vast majority of gardening accidents affect people over the age of 64. With this in mind, our Bucks County accident attorney would like to suggest some tips for avoiding injuries if you or someone you love is advanced in years and still loves to garden:
- Eliminate tripping hazards from the yard – Tripping and falling can have serious consequences in any situation, but you most definitely don’t want it to happen when you’re carrying around sharp gardening tools. To prevent trips, make sure there is a path between your home and garden that is free of tree roots, uneven ground and loose stone. In addition, clean up piles of branches right away and put your garden hose back on its rack as soon as you’re done using it so you don’t risk tripping over these items and hurting yourself.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance – As an older gardener, it’s important to ask friends, family or professionals for help with larger, more dangerous jobs, such as those that require using a heavy tool or a ladder. While you may feel as if you’re compromising your independence by enlisting the help of others, it’s the safe and responsible choice to make. Plus, getting assistance will allow you to avoid injuries, thereby ensuring that you can continue to get outside and do what you love!
- Consider planting a vertical garden – If you have trouble bending over, a vertical garden may be the best choice for you. Unlike with traditional gardens, you won’t have to get down on your hands and knees to work on your vertical garden. In fact, you can even sit in a wheelchair or on a stool while taking care of your plants and flowers!
- Be prepared for accidents – No matter how old you are, it’s always a good idea to bring a well stocked first aid kit and a fully charged cell phone when going out to work in the yard. You never know when you’ll get stung by a bee, cut a finger or trip over a hidden tree root, so it’s smart to have a way to deal with minor injuries right away and call for help if needed.
As you can see, there are many ways to lessen your chances of being hurt while gardening this spring. If you’d like even more gardening safety tips from our accident lawyer in Bucks County, check out our past blog post.
Injured By a Faulty Gardening Tool? Call (215) 332-0300 Now
Even when you follow the aforementioned procedures for gardening safely, there is still a chance that a garden tool will malfunction and injure you. If you believe that this has happened to you, consult Mr. Gary P. Heslin, the accident attorney Bucks County trusts. No matter how mild or severe your injury may be, Mr. Heslin will use his extensive skills and knowledge to determine who is at fault for the incident and work to get whatever compensation you are owed.
For no-obligation advice from our practiced Bucks County accident lawyer, call (215) 332-0300 today. We’re ready to fight for your rights!