Page 42 - MAYO CLINIC Head to Toe e-magazine 293700

• Kitchens

Don’t use difficult-to-reach shelves Never stand on a chair Use
nonskid floor wax, and wipe up spills immediately
• Bedrooms
Put a light switch by the door and a lamp by your bed so you don’t
have to walk across the room to turn on a light Plug night lights
into electrical outlets in bedrooms, halls and bathrooms
44 Avoiding yardwork mishaps

Follow these easy steps:
•
Save your back
Choose tools with handles long enough to allow you to work without
bending over, or use a garden stool Don’t lift oversized packages
of fertilizer or sod Use a wheelbarrow or just buy smaller packages
• Wear sunscreen

Avoid sunburn by using sunscreen with a minimum sun protection
factor (SPF) of 15
• Protect yourself from insects
Use insect repellent that contains DEET Perfume, scented hair
spray or lotion attracts stinging insects
• Wear light-colored, well-fitting clothes
Bright colors attract insects, too And loose clothes allow insects
access to your skin
• Choose sensible shoes
Wear closed-toe, sturdy, nonskid shoes to prevent injuries from
lawn mowers
• Turn off the lawn mower motor

Then unclog, adjust or fix the equipment Add fuel before starting
the engine or after allowing the motor to cool for several minutes
Don’t smoke
• Handle chemicals carefully
Before spraying bug or weed killers, wait for calm weather Wind
can blow chemicals back toward you and irritate your skin Wear
protective goggles, gloves, full-length pants and a long-sleeve shirt

50 Head-to-Toe Health Tips 41