Safety tips for yard clean up

Now that last week’s storm has passed, it’s time to pick up the pieces in your yard. Leaves were already falling with the arrival of autumn, but the recent storm also brought down a lot of branches. Be careful when you clean up the mess.

Protect yourself by warming up with a few stretches and use the right tool for the right job. Yard work sends thousands of people to the doctor’s office every year, so ease the strain and pain by taking a few simple steps:

· Avoid twisting your body while raking. Use your legs to shift your weight instead of twisting your back.

· Lift with your legs, not your back, when moving bags of yard debris.

· Get help if something is too heavy to move or lift by yourself.

· Wear work gloves to avoid blisters.

Drink plenty of fluids. The temperature may be cooler but you can still get dehydrated.