By Darwin Prewitt

This is the season when our good friend, Safety Bear, travels far away to go into hibernation. He knows that legions of folks will soon invade their yards, patios, gardens and flower beds with every tool, pesticide, weed killer and special fertilizer they can muster. In spite of his best educational efforts, he is quite aware that many of these yard warriors will sustain some sort of injury during this gardening extravaganza – some egregious.

Maybe it is time for a quick “buff up” so Safety Bear won’t be quite as appalled as he has in the past. Clearly the most dangerous implements in anyone’s weapon’s cache are ladders and chain saws. Used separately they are tricky enough, used together they can maim and even kill. I personally know two people who were seriously injured while on a ladder using a chain saw. Many others, to include myself have had the opportunity to feel some of that pain.

Very few of us are smarter than a ladder. When using one use the “buddy system”. Don’t go solo – especially when working at some height. If you aren’t familiar with a chain saw, then don’t use it. Today’s saws have great new safety features but try telling that to the ER staff as you show them the severed part of your foot or hand. Even trying to start one of these monsters can cause muscle strain or worse yet, a stroke. If you are reading this article, then you probably can afford to hire someone to do that kind of work.

Lawn mowers, weed-eaters, hedge trimmers, rototillers, etc., can quickly cause you or others severe bodily injury. Have a plan, don’t get in a hurry, try to make sure a family member or friend is nearby and aware of what you are doing. Most importantly, dress the part.

Eye protection is an ABSOULTE MUST when using any implement. I learned that lesson in junior high school when a friend’s mom lost an eye after a rock ricocheted off a tree and hit her in the eye while she was mowing in her yard. Wear appropriate clothing. Nothing is as much fun as having the weed-eater kick up material that perforates your legs. If you are still using corded implements, it is imperative to keep an eye on the cord.

I have plenty of extension cords you are welcome to borrow. All of them have been patched because I cut them with a hedge trimmer. Powered implements can get the job done quickly but they can also reach out and bite if you are distracted or become inattentive. Non-powered instruments can also be very dangerous. As a 7th grader my wife had the opportunity to see a neighbor’s son impale his foot on an upturned garden rake. Absolutely none of us want to see or hear those sights and sounds. Make sure your rakes and shovels are stored correctly. How many of you have stepped on one of those and received a sharp blow to the head when the handle flew up. Snippers and loppers are fun to use until you cut the cable tv line like I recently did! The repairman told me he sees this all the time. Wouldn’t it be a surprise to cut through a high voltage electric line hidden in your shrubs?

Use, account for and store all these items correctly. There couldn’t be much more of an exciting sound as you mow over your hand snippers that you left in the grass. Every one of us have either experienced an incident in the lawn or home or know someone that has. Almost every sad story begins with the words “I was in a hurry”. I’m quite certain the ER staff hears this daily.

The best way to combat the “Hurry Bug” is to have a plan, slow down and use the Buddy System. On another note, do you have an effective first aid kit at home? Can you find it? If you don’t then spend some time and money putting one together. Keep it current. You will make many mistakes while working in the lawn and garden – don’t be one of them!!!

Darwin Prewitt, an intern in the Master Gardener 2022 Master Gardener Class. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymaga@gmail.com.