With those unseasonably warm days keep showing up this winter, many of us may want to take advantage to clean out the garage, organize the coat closet, or start early on yard work this year. Whether you’re throwing out heavy trash bags or giving away boxes to charity, be sure you’re lifting properly to avoid strain or injury. Keep these tips in mind:
- Squat. Instead of bending over to pick up box of throw-aways, squat down and lift with your legs.
- Avoid Twisting. Be careful not to twist while you’re lifting. Instead, lift the box or bag to an upright standing position, and then walk to reposition your body to where you need to place the box or bag.
- Split up heavy loads. If a box is overloaded, take the time to split up the contents with a second box. Taking a second trip is worth keeping yourself from injury.
Don’t forget to take breaks to admire your hard work, grab a drink of water, and catch your breath.
