Albeit hand injuries aren’t necessarily life-threatening, they can render you incapable of carrying out your day-to-day tasks. They can also take long to heal given the fact that the hand is always mobile. If the injury involves a cut, the wound can open up and put you at risk of complications.
Whether at work or at home, there are things you can do to lower your risk for hand injuries. Consider these tips from our highly qualified hand surgeons here at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder.
1) Wear gloves when appropriate.
According to a Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety study, wearing gloves reduces your risk for hand injuries by 60 percent.
Gloves can provide protection against strains, cuts, burns, and chemical exposure, and they add a degree of grip strength, when you lift and carry heavy objects.
2) Keep manual and power tools in good working condition.
Ever hear that a dull knife can hurt you? It’s true: a blunt blade requires more pushing force to cut meat, vegetables, and many other objects.
Additionally, poorly maintained power tools may slip or bind and potentially cause injury to your hands and forearms. Whether working at home or on the job site, take time to clean and maintain all your tools. It apparently also helps to avoid removing safety features, such as blade guards.
3.) Make sure to disconnect tools from power source when cleaning.
This includes lawn mowers, circular saws, kitchen blenders/mixers, and many other handheld equipments. This takes just a brief moment but can greatly help prevent accidental amputations and lacerations.
4) Fall-proof your home.
Fall accidents are the leading cause of hand or wrist sprains and fractures.
To help prevent fall accidents, and consequently, these types of hand injuries, consider doing the following:
- Removing scatter rugs;
- Installing and using railings on stairs;
- Cleaning up clutter;
- Ensuring your home is properly lit;
- Getting nonslip bath and kitchen mats and ensuring your carpet is fixed firmly to the floor;
- Moving power cords away from walkways;
- Placing frequently used items in easily reached places. (so you can avoid using a step stool or ladder).
5.) Do not use machinery or sharp tools when heavily medicated.
If you take medication that can impair your ability to safely use machinery or sharp tools, wait until the effects wear off or have someone else do the work for you. It’s okay to enlist help.
Hand and Upper-Extremity Care in Lutherville, Maryland
At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, our board-certified hand surgeons are driven to provide first-rate hand and upper-extremity care. It is our foremost goal to deliver unmatched treatment outcomes, but we also consider it equally essential to educate our patients on the importance of preventive strategies—to help them keep their hands and upper-extremity in tip-top condition, so they can maintain their quality of life.
To see one of our hand surgeons, call us at (561) 733-5888. You may also use this secure request form, and our staff will contact you promptly to confirm your appointment.
We have several other offices across Maryland: Bel Air, Clarksville, Eldersburg, Westminster, Baltimore, and Pasadena.
