According to the Home Safety Council’s estimates, there are 10 million unintentional injuries in the home resulting in 20,000 deaths each year. Since spring is the time when many people get motivated to start cleaning up their homes, their yards, and perform home repairs. The following tips can help prevent you from getting injured while cleaning up after this long winter.
- Service lawnmowers and power tools every spring before using them. Make sure that they are in good repair. This includes having the blades sharpened and tightened on the mower.
- Before mowing, walk the lawn and pick up sticks, stones, toys and other debris that could shoot out from the mower or damage the blade.
- Don’t let people stand or sit anywhere near where you are mowing. Be especially careful to keep small children away.
- Never reach under the mower unless it is turned off and the blade has completely stopped turning.
- Bend at the knees, not at the waist and keep your back straight. Lift with your strong leg and thigh muscles.
- Keep the object you are lifting close to your body.
- Do not twist at the waist. Move your feet to turn your body when moving objects.
- Get help when lifting very heavy objects (e.g. over 50 pounds)
It can be enjoyable to clean up in the spring, but sometimes accidents can happen. If you find yourself getting hurt even though you’ve taken precautions against it, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to find out if you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.
Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak – South Bend injury lawyers. Ph: (844) 678-1800.
