Five Fundamental Safety Tips to Protect Yourself This Spring

1. Seasonal Allergy Safety  

Trees and plants are sprouting, flowers are blossoming... and pollen is everywhere. This tiny substance is nothing to sneeze at, as it led to 81 million hay fever (allergic rhinitis) diagnoses in the U.S. in 2021, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). 

Allergies from hay fever can mimic cold-like symptoms, leaving you feeling under the weather. The Cleveland Clinic lists common symptoms of hay fever to include: 

• Sneezing, congestion and runny nose.   
• Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down your throat).  
• Sinus pressure, headaches and dark circles under your eyes.  
• Tiredness.
• Itchy nose, throat and eyes. 
• Red or watery eyes. 

Those prone to seasonal allergies should take extra precautions like limiting time outdoors or keeping doors and windows closed when pollen counts are high.   

2. Poisonous Plant Safety  

Hiking trails and wooded areas are great ways to enjoy nature, but they can also expose you to poisonous plants. 

People in the U.S. often encounter poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, which are identifiable by their distinct leaf clusters. These plants produce urushiol, an oil that causes allergic contact dermatitis (toxicodendron dermatitis) and leads to 43,000 emergency room (ER) visits annually, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Urushiol causes a variety of unpleasant symptoms, like: 

• Itchy skin rash 
• Redness and swelling 
• Blisters

If you touch these plants, rinse your skin with soap and lukewarm water immediately. Wash anything that may come in contact with urushiol, like clothing, tools gear or pets.

Refrain from touching or scratching blisters to avoid breaking the skin. Keep your skin clean and dry and notify your healthcare provider if there are any signs of infection. 

3. Insect Bites and Lyme Disease Safety  

As plant life begins to flourish, insects become more active. While many are harmless, bites and stings from some can cause unpleasant allergic reactions, like: 

• Pain and swelling
• Redness or flushing 
• Hives 
• Itching 

Seek medical attention immediately if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, a rapidly spreading rash or redness, severe swelling, especially around the face or throat, muscle cramps or spasms or confusion or loss of consciousness.  

Other insects, like mosquitos, fleas and ticks, can carry and spread diseases. Some ticks carry Lyme disease, which can cause serious and long-term health issues if untreated. The Ohio Department of Health reported almost 1,300 cases of Lyme disease in 2023, up from only 37 in 2010.  

Protect yourself from bites by wearing clothing that covers exposed skin and avoiding wooded areas with high grass or shrubbery. If you find a tick:

• Avoid touching it with your bare hands.
• Quickly and carefully remove it with tweezers, grabbing as close to the skin as possible until it releases.
• Wash your hands and the bite are thoroughly with soap and warm water. 

4. Gardening Safety  

Planting a garden or landscaping around your residence are great ways to add greenery to the environment. Just remember to protect your hands as you work. 

A 2023 report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) estimated almost 36,000 injuries were from hand garden tools. Gardening injuries, like repetitive strain injury (RSI), involve stressed or overused muscles, tendons and nerves due to repeated motions that can affect: 

• Fingers and thumbs
• Wrists
• Elbows
• Shoulders
• Knees

Adapt both yourself and your tools to better suit your tasks. Choose tools you can grip comfortably while keeping your wrist straight. Stretch before, during and after gardening, especially if you're doing repetitive tasks. Good posture can help reduce stress from kneeing, bending over or hunching often.  

5. Spring Cleaning Safety  

Spring cleaning is a yearly tradition to refresh your home but take care to avoid an ER trip as you wipe down surfaces and declutter. 

Cleaning agents are safe when used properly, but they can be harmful. A 2020 CPSC report showed that ER-treated injuries from cleaning products rose 84% between March and September, likely from people staying home and doing more housework. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns that working with cleaning chemicals can cause: 

• Breathing problems, like coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. 
• Red, itchy eyes. 
• Skin rashes or skin and eye burns. 
• Sore throat. 
• Headaches or dizziness. 
• Nosebleeds. 

Store chemicals in their original bottles and always follow label instructions. Never mix products, which can create harmful or deadly grasses, and ensure proper ventilation when using them. Keep products locked away from children. 

Also be mindful of your physical safety. Lifting or moving heavy objects while cleaning can lead to back injuries. The National Institute of Health (NIH) advises proper lifting techniques to avoid straining your body: 

1. Get close to the object to put less force on your low back. 
2. Maintain an upright position while squatting to pick the object up. 
3. Tighten your stomach muscles to support your spine. 
4. Lift with your legs. 
5. Turn with your feet, don't twist with your back.