BHealthy Blog

5 Gardening Safety Tips You Need to Know

Maintaining a lush summer garden is hard work, but enjoying the fruits of your labor are worth the effort. As you brave the summer heat to tend to your plants, follow the tips below to stay safe and enjoy your garden to its fullest.

Wear sunscreen.

It only takes a few minutes for skin to burn while working outside. Make sure to put sunscreen on 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every hour you remain outside. Get more tips on how you can protect your skin here. (link to sunscreen blog)

Stay hydrated.

Avoid dehydration by drinking a large glass of water before you go outside, and then continuously sip on a water bottle as you work. Learn more about dehydration and how you can stay hydrated during hot summer months here. (link to hydration blog)

Protect yourself from insects.

Insect bites are a nuisance, and the potential illnesses and diseases that can result from them can be gravely serious. Apply insect repellent before you go outside to keep bugs away, and wear gloves as you work to protect your hands from ones you may come into contact with.

Stay cool.

Heat exhaustion can be deadly if you don’t take immediate action. If you begin to feel overheated, go inside, drink a glass of water and cool down.

Protect your eyes.

Protect your eyes from harsh UV rays by wearing sunglasses as you work.

Work during the coolest parts of the day.

Do the majority of your yardwork before 10 a.m. and after 2 p.m. when temperatures are cooler and the sun isn’t directly overhead to significantly reduce your risk of sunburn, dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Baptist Health is committed to helping you have a happy, healthy summer, and we offer a wide range of resources to make that happen. Learn more about healthy living on our BHealthy blog.