Making Fall’s Chore Safe for You, Safe for the Planet
Not looking forward to cleaning the yard this fall? Raking has a bunch of benefits beyond beautifying your lawn: 1. It reduces fuel that can feed a wildfire. 2. If you compost, it’s good for the environment. 3. It’s exercise! Raking builds body strength and works off calories.
But before you tackle fall’s chore with new found enthusiasm, check out these tips to help ensure your safety and protect the planet:
Safety first
Dress the part. A must is hearing protection if you’re using power tools and equipment. Also, protect yourself with safety goggles, sturdy shoes, long pants and gloves. Wear layers you can peel off if you get warm. Be sure you’re up on your tetanus shots—adults should get one every 10 years.
Dress the part. A must is hearing protection if you’re using power tools and equipment. Also, protect yourself with safety goggles, sturdy shoes, long pants and gloves. Wear layers you can peel off if you get warm. Be sure you’re up on your tetanus shots—adults should get one every 10 years.
Posture perfect. An ideal way to rake is to hold the end of the handle with one hand and three-quarters of the way down the handle with the other. Try not to twist your spine, but rather move your whole body. Switching sides every few minutes can balance the strain to your lower back.
Go slow. If you’re not used to this much exertion, take frequent breaks from raking—stretch and drink plenty of water. You could also spread raking and bagging over several days to minimize the stress on your body
Afternoon allergies. If you are prone to pollen allergies, note that the afternoon is the worst time to work outdoors. Early morning and evening are the best times. You might also wear a pollen mask, hat, gloves and big sunglasses to reduce exposure. Continue to mow through the fall to keep grass from flowering and producing pollen.
Green matters
Bag the bag. If you have a lot of leaves to bag, you could compost them instead. What you’d get is nutrient-rich, organic soil that you can use for gardening in the spring.
Power down. Power tools can create a lot of noise pollution. Indeed, one gas-powered leaf blower can produce as much pollution as 80 cars.1 Electric tools are better, but the best is raking. There’s no noise pollution and your neighbors will thank you.
Fertilize, naturally. If you’re preparing your soil for next year, use organic, slow release fertilizers made of natural materials. Or, you can use the compost you created yourself.
If fall also finds you closing up a new pool or hot tub*, you might consider further protecting it by adding a bit of extra insurance to your homeowners policy.
Contact us for all of your insurance needs!
Illinois and Wisconsin residents, at R Hobbs Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (847) 680-0888 or send us a note at chris@rhobbsinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!
Content source: Kemper