avoid spring cleaning "spills"

As the weather becomes warmer, people start preparing their homes and yards for the spring and summer seasons. Projects such as yard work, cleaning, and painting become priorities on the to-do list. However, thousands of orthopedic injuries occur each year as a result of mishaps around the house. That is why the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) urges people to take proper safety precautions to reduce the number of spring cleaning-related accidents.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were more than 547,000 ladder-related injuries, nearly 12,000 raking-related injuries, and approximately 221,000 lawn mowing-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, and clinics in 2004. Frequent injuries include cuts, bruises, and fractured bones.

“Many spring cleaning injuries occur when people rush or do not follow the proper safety precautions,” explains Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, orthopedic surgeon specializing in trauma, Fellow of the AAOS, and member of the Orthopedic Trauma Association. “Because most injuries are preventable, it is important to use the appropriate equipment for each project and take your time to minimize spring cleaning-related accidents.”

Because orthopedic surgeons not only treat but try to prevent injuries of the bones, joints, and muscles, the AAOS recommends the following guidelines for spring cleaning projects:

• Stretch and perform proper warm-ups prior to starting clean-up projects around the home, such as painting or gardening.
• Proper techniques for lifting, carrying, and bending should be part of any spring cleaning project:
• Separate your feet shoulder-width apart and bend at the knees while tightening the stomach muscles.
• Lift with your leg muscles as you stand up; don’t try to lift any object by yourself if it is too heavy or an awkward shape.
• Use a step stool instead of furniture – such as a couch or dining room chair – when dusting hard to reach areas.
• Ladders used for chores – such as washing windows, painting, cleaning gutters, and trimming trees – should be placed on a firm, level surface. Never place a ladder on ground or flooring that is uneven, soft, or wet.
• Over-reaching or leaning too far to one side when working on a ladder can also make you lose your balance and fall. Your bellybutton should not go beyond the sides of the ladder.
• Don’t twist your body when raking. Make sure to use your legs to shift your weight and switch sides often.
• When using a lawnmower for the first time each season, have it serviced to ensure that it’s working properly. Never try to dislodge dirt or grass from the lawnmower while the machine is running. DUH  It is also important to wear shoes that fully cover the feet when mowing the lawn.
• Never use lawn and garden equipment in damp or wet conditions.
• When gardening, avoid prolonged repetitive motions during activities such as digging, planting, trimming, and pruning. It is also important to wear gloves to reduce blistering and protect the skin.
• Properly store equipment – including hoses, gardening tools, rakes, lawn mowers, and ladders – after use to avoid tripping.

For additional injury prevention tips and information, visit the Academy’s public and patient education website, Your Orthopedic Connection (www.orthoinfo.org), or call the Public Service Line at 800-824-BONES.