by Sylvester Pierpoint (aka John Jeffries)

Created on: December 20, 2008   Last Updated: April 01, 2009

STAYING SAFE WHILE WORKING ON YOUR YARD - There are many hidden dangers lurking in your yard that can be harmful to you if you are unaware of their presences. The key to being safe while working outdoors is to make sure you and your entire family is aware of and avoid or remove as many of these potential dangers as possible. If, for instance, you live in a tropical climate sunscreen is a must to avoid harmful UV rays. Be sure to put on plenty of the lotion and also cover any sensitive areas with clothing. Also a large brimmed hat is helpful in protecting your ears and neck from sunburn.

Although yard work is tedious and tiresome, many homeowners take great pride in their yard and spend many hours working outside to keep it perfect. Be aware of possible dehydration and drink plenty of fluids. Take a break once in a while to cool off and avoid heat stroke. The best way to stay safe working in your yard is preparing yourself and then your tools for the task at hand. Be sure your tools are clean and sharp when you start and again when you put them away.

Become familiar with the area in which you live and the pests, insects and any wild animals that inhabit the area and may venture onto your property. Yellow Jackets, for example, are not common in every yard but if you have them they can become quite harmful. They live under the ground and can be difficult to spot. The nest is very difficult to find and if you happen to run the mower over the nest, the creatures will swarm out and painfully sting you and anyone else around. Their sting, like bee stings, is life threatening to some and extremely painful. Explore your yard carefully and if you notice these insects entering and leaving a hole in the ground you have located the nest. Ask a pest control specialist to remove the pests to stay safe.

Shrubbery can be another decorative item in your yard to be of some danger. If you live in a tropical climate, learn about the dangers of these plants. Some of them give off toxic smoke if you burn the cuttings while others, such as the caster plant (Elephant Ears) are outright poisonous if you or your children happen to ingest it. Shrubbery is also home to other stinging insects like wasps and hornets. To stay safe always wear garden gloves whenever working around these plants and wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you come in from the yard.

Residents of South Florida are always on the lookout in their yard for the Bufo Marinus or Giant toad that emits a poison through its skin when frightened. Dogs and sometimes cats catch these toads in their mouth and become very sick and could die if not attended to immediately. Many dogs and cats lives were saved by their owners by putting the garden hose in the animal's mouth and washing the poison out after they had picked up one of these toads. If you pick up this toad the sticky white creamy poison will be on your hand and needs to be washed away immediately if you want to avoid harm.

If your yard boarders on or is near a wooded area you need to watch for wild animals that will come into your yard during the night and hide in the shrubbery during the day. The worst of these are the Opossum the Raccoon and the Fox because all are known to be carriers of rabies and when sick with the disease will attack animals and humans alike. To stay safe, always avoid contact with these animals and call animal control to trap and remove them from your yard.

If it becomes necessary to spray your lawn or garden with insecticide always wear face protection and carefully follow instructions given by the manufacturer. Finally, it is always important to inspect, clean and sharpen your yard tools before and after use. Pickup and properly dispose of any debris.

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