Gardening safety

Gardening Safety in Grand Rapids, MI

Gardening is a relaxing and enjoyable form of exercise for many Grand Rapids residents, from backyard vegetable plots on the West Side to flower beds in Eastown. But without proper safety precautions, gardening can lead to preventable injuries and health issues.

This guide explains how to stay safe while gardening in Grand Rapids’ four-season climate, with tips tailored to West Michigan weather and local health resources.

Enjoy Your Grand Rapids Garden Safely

Ignoring safety precautions or using the wrong tool for the job are two of the most common causes of gardening injuries. In the Grand Rapids area, additional risks include:

Strong summer sun and UV exposure
Slippery conditions in spring and fall
Overexertion after a long winter indoors

If you’re careful and prepared, you can enjoy the health benefits of gardening while protecting your skin, eyes, muscles, and joints.

Sun Safety for West Michigan Gardeners

Even though Michigan is known for cloudy days, ultraviolet (UV) radiation can still damage your skin and eyes—especially from late spring through early fall.

Understand UV in Grand Rapids

UV levels are typically highest from May through September, especially on clear days.
Sunburn can occur in as little as 15–20 minutes on unprotected skin.
UV rays can reflect off light surfaces, including water and light-colored mulch.

Check the daily UV index on your smartphone weather app or local news stations like WOOD TV8 or FOX 17 before heading out to garden.

Protect Your Skin

When the UV index is 3 or higher, take extra precautions:

Wear protective clothing
- Long-sleeved, lightweight shirts
- Long pants
- A broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears, and neck
Use sunscreen correctly
- Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen
- Apply to all exposed skin 20 minutes before going outside
- Reapply every 2 hours, and after sweating heavily

Protect Your Eyes

UV exposure increases the risk of cataracts and other eye damage:

Wear wraparound sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Consider safety glasses with UV protection when mowing or trimming.

If you have vision concerns or eye irritation after gardening, contact a local eye care provider or your primary care physician at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

Time Your Gardening: Beat the Heat

Garden in the Shade When Possible

Avoid gardening during the hottest part of the day: typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in West Michigan summer.
Use trees, shade sails, or umbrellas to create shaded work areas.

Choose Early Morning or Late Afternoon

Aim to garden in the early morning or early evening when temperatures and UV levels are lower.
On hot and humid Grand Rapids days, take frequent breaks in the shade and drink water regularly.

Lawnmower and Power Equipment Safety

Lawnmowers and power tools are a major source of gardening injuries, including:

Cuts and open wounds
Bone fractures in hands and feet
Eye injuries from flying debris
Burns from hot engine parts

Lawnmower Safety Tips

Wear enclosed shoes
- Preferably safety boots with steel toecaps
Protect your legs
- Wear long pants, ideally heavy fabric like denim, to guard against flying sticks, stones, and mulch
Protect your eyes
- Use safety goggles or impact-resistant glasses

Using Ride-On Mowers

Ride-on mowers are common on larger Grand Rapids properties and can tip, especially on uneven or sloped yards:

Drive slowly, especially when turning.
Avoid steep slopes and wet, slippery grass.
Never allow passengers—especially children—on the mower.

Prevent Foot and Hand Injuries

Never pull a mower toward you on a slope.
Turn off the mower and disconnect the spark plug (or power source) before:
- Clearing jams
- Removing debris
- Working near the blades

Burns from Hot Equipment

Engine parts, mufflers, and exhaust can remain hot long after use.
Allow equipment to cool completely before:
- Refueling
- Storing
- Letting children or pets near it

Safe Gardening Equipment Use

Choose Safe, Well-Maintained Tools

Use gardening equipment that meets recognized safety standards and includes:
- Safety guards
- Automatic shut-off features (if applicable)
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all tools and machines.
Do not remove or tamper with safety guards or safety devices.
Inspect tools regularly for:
- Frayed cords
- Loose parts
- Rust or cracks

Keep Equipment Clean

Clean tools after use to prevent:
- Rust
- Mold and mildew (common in humid Michigan summers)
- Soil buildup that can cause slips or malfunctions

Line Trimmers, Hedge Trimmers, and Electric Tools

Always wear safety goggles when using line trimmers or hedge trimmers.
Be aware of electrical cords:
- Keep cords behind you and away from blades.
- Never use electric tools in wet conditions or standing water.
Do not stand on the highest rungs of a ladder while trimming:
- There is a high risk of tipping and falls.

Protect Your Hearing

Noisy tools like lawnmowers, line trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws can damage hearing:

Wear earmuffs or earplugs rated for adequate noise reduction.

Prevent Back Pain and Overuse Injuries

After a long Grand Rapids winter, it’s tempting to do all your yard work in one weekend. Overdoing it can lead to back pain, muscle strains, and joint injuries.

Warm Up Before Gardening

Do 5–10 minutes of light activity:
- Walking
- Gentle arm circles
- Slow, sustained stretches
Include basic back stretches before and after gardening.

Rotate Tasks

Avoid repetitive movements for long periods.
Example: After 15 minutes of raking, switch to:
- Pruning
- Planting
- Light weeding
Take regular breaks in the shade and drink water.

Use Safe Lifting Techniques

Bend at the knees, not at the waist.
Keep heavy objects close to your body.
Avoid twisting while lifting.
If something is too heavy, use:
- A wheelbarrow
- A garden cart
- Help from another person

If you develop persistent back pain, numbness, or weakness, contact your primary care provider or an urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids.

Hand and Finger Safety in the Garden

Many gardening injuries involve the hands and fingers, especially when working with soil, thorns, and hidden objects.

Always Wear Gardening Gloves

Protects against:
- Cuts and scrapes
- Soil and insect bites
- Skin irritants (e.g., some plants, fertilizers)
Leather gloves provide better protection against:
- Thorns
- Sharp branches
- Animal bites (rodents, insects)

Use Tools, Not Fingers, for Digging

Use a shovel, trowel, or hand shovel instead of your bare hands.
Be cautious of buried hazards such as:
- Tree roots
- Broken glass
- Metal or wire
- Old landscape fabric staples

Tetanus Risk

Even small cuts and puncture wounds can carry a risk of tetanus, especially if caused by:

Soil-contaminated objects
Rusty tools
Old nails or wire

If you have a deep or dirty wound:

Clean it thoroughly with soap and water.
Contact your doctor or an urgent care clinic (e.g., Spectrum Health or Metro Health locations) to ask if a tetanus booster is needed.

Choosing the Right Hand Tools

Poorly fitting tools can cause blisters, calluses, and muscle strain.

Avoid tools with molded handles that don’t match your hand size.
Make sure grips are:
- Not too small or too large
- Comfortable to hold for extended periods
Keep your wrist straight when using tools:
- Bending the wrist weakens your grip and forces your hand and arm muscles to work harder.
- Over time, this can lead to fatigue and soft tissue injuries.

Safe Use of Garden Chemicals

Wear Rubber Gloves

When handling:

Pesticides
Weed killers
Fertilizers
Other garden chemicals

Always:

Wear rubber or chemical-resistant gloves.
Inspect gloves for holes or tears before each use.
Wash or rinse gloves after use and store them out of children’s reach.

Follow all label directions and avoid spraying on windy days to reduce inhalation and drift onto neighbors’ yards.

Legionnaires’ Disease and Potting Mix Safety

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria. It can be contracted by inhaling dust or droplets from:

Potting mix
Compost
Soil

Handling Potting Mix, Compost, and Soil Safely

Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the potting mix bag.
Always wear:
- Gloves
- A well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth (especially if you have lung disease, are older, or have a weakened immune system).
Open bags of potting mix:
- Slowly
- Outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
- With the opening directed away from your face
Lightly dampen the mix with water to reduce dust.
Avoid inhaling airborne particles when:
- Pouring soil or compost
- Watering hanging baskets and potted plants (avoid breathing in mist or droplets)

After Gardening

Store potting mix and chemicals securely, away from children and pets.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling soil, compost, or potting mix and before:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Smoking
- Touching your face or mouth

If you develop flu-like symptoms, cough, fever, or shortness of breath after working with potting mix, seek medical attention promptly at a local urgent care or emergency department (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health).

Child Safety in the Garden

Many gardening injuries involve young children, especially those under five. In Grand Rapids, where families often spend summer days outdoors, extra precautions are essential.

Keep Children Away from Power Equipment

Keep children well away when using:
- Lawnmowers
- Line trimmers
- Hedge trimmers
- Chainsaws
Teach children that this equipment is not a toy.
Do not allow children to:
- Touch lawnmowers or engines after use (they can cause burns)
- Operate garden machinery
- Ride on or sit on the back of ride-on mowers

Store Tools and Chemicals Safely

Unplug power tools when not in use.
Store:
- Garden chemicals (like weed killers and pesticides)
- Sharp tools
- Fuel
- On high shelves and behind locked doors.

Sun and Heat Protection for Kids

Provide:
- Shade
- Sunhats
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
- Lightweight, protective clothing
Make sure children drink plenty of water, especially on warm and humid days.

Water Safety in the Yard

Never leave buckets of water or tubs unattended around very young children.
Never leave young children unsupervised near:
- Ponds
- Kiddie pools
- Rain barrels
- Backyard pools
Make sure pools are:
- Securely fenced according to local codes
- Gated and latched
Consider installing a mesh screen just below the surface of ponds or decorative water features to reduce drowning risk.