Protect Yourself During Fall Cleanup

Autumn is a beautiful time of year in our area. But when those colorful leaves start to fall, they pile up in our yard. If you’re planning to tackle those leaves any time soon, make sure you keep a few things in mind to help prevent aches and pains.• Stretch a little bit before you head right outside to rake. Bend forward to touch your toes in order to loosen up back muscles. Stretch arms over your head and bring your right arm over the front of your body and then your left to stretch shoulder muscles.• Think about the rake you are using. The best rake is one where you don’t have to bend or twist too much to reach the leaves. Having rakes that are too tall or too short can cause you to get into some unnatural positions with your body.• Don’t hunch over the rake. Keep your legs bent slightly, keep your weight centered, and reach with your arms, not your back. When bagging the leaves be sure to squat instead of bending over at the waist.• Raking requires a series of repetitive motions, which overwork your muscles. Switch your lead arm throughout the raking.• Rest and drink water!