The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) recommends gardeners take the proper precautions to prevent hand-related injuries before digging or planting in the garden this spring. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), emergency rooms treat more than 400,000 outdoor garden-tool-related accidents each year.
With proper safety techniques, you can stay away from the hospital and avoid becoming a statistic. "While protection and safety is important in everyday life, proper hand care is particularly important in the garden," says David M. Lichtman, MD, ASSH Vice President and chairman of the ASSH public awareness committee. "The key to keeping your hands safe and in good condition is common sense," says Lichtman. "Just because you might be out relaxing in the garden doesn't mean you should throw safety precautions to the wind. Before you start each task, simply ask yourself. 'What can I do to keep my hands safe?'" Lichtman suggests the following precautions to avoid injury, pain, and discomfort: