Ensuring Your Parent’s Lawn in Safe in the Spring Months
Elderly Care in Pacific Palisades CA
The warmer weather and beautiful skies of spring are finally making their way back in, which means that your thoughts are likely turning to how you can bring your elderly care efforts out into the
loveliness of nature and enjoy the newness and invigorating energy of the season. While you are thinking about heading outside with your aging parent, however, it is important that you keep in mind the potential dangers that exist out in her lawn during these spring months. From tending to the grass and other plants to make sure that they look their best, to getting active with gardening, making sure that the lawn is a safe and healthy place for your aging parent is a fantastic way to enhance your care efforts by letting her get out into the fresh air and welcome the thaw after the long, cold winter.
Keep these tips in mind when ensuring the safety of your parent’s lawn during the spring months:
- Maintain a safe distance from the mower. If you are ready to get back out and start mowing the lawn again, make sure that your parent does not stick close by during your efforts. Whether you use a push mower or a riding mower, there is a danger of debris getting kicked up by the blades and causing injury, or even severe cut injuries. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 25,000 people experience injuries 75 die from injuries caused by riding mowers or similar equipment each year. Make sure your parent stays inside, or request that her elderly health care services provider brings her on an outing during your lawn maintenance day so that she remains safe. Store equipment safely. Even if it is not in use, many pieces of lawn equipment can pose serious dangers. Make sure that items with sharp blades such as hedge clippers and trimmers are kept in a secure location with the blades facing down.
- Be aware of wildlife. Spring is a time when the world seems to be waking up, but not everything wants to come out of its winter slumber at the same time, and others might start nesting even before you think that the winter season has come to an end. Be aware of both groups of animal life as you are enjoying the outdoors with your aging parent. Steer clear of areas where animals might have found a refuge from the winter cold or could be making a nest for the year’s young, such as under the porch, in large brush piles, or under stumps. If you notice any animals, stay away from them and get in touch with a humane animal control company who can remove them carefully and relocate them to a safe place while also giving you advice for keeping them away.
- Dress appropriately. When you head out with your parents for some gardening or just to sit and enjoy the fresh air, make sure that you dress appropriately. It might not be blazingly hot, but that does not mean that the sun is not intense. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun, and choose clothing with layers to keep you comfortable in the variable temperatures. If gardening, make sure that you choose long sleeves, long pants, and gloves to keep you safe from pests, plants, and other issues that could cut your gardening fun short.
If you or an aging loved one needs elderly care services in Pacific Palisades, CA, call Livewell Private Care at (310) 933-4986. Servicing Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding areas.
Source:
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/1996/Lawn-and-Garden-Safety-Tips—CPSC-Urges-Care-With-Springtime-Chores/