Specialty Care for the Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist & Hand
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FOR OUR PATIENTS
- Same Day Emergency Care
- Driving Directions
- What to expect from your visit
- FAQ
- Release of Medical Information
- Patient Rights & Responsibilities
- Patient Safety
-- Summertime Injuries
-- Frostbite Injuries
-- Fireworks Injuries
-- Lawn Mower Safety
-- Hand Safety
-- Farm Injuries
-- Gardening Tips
-- Outdoor Safety Tips
-- Winter Safety Tips
- Wireless Access
- Translation Services
- Pay your bill online
- Contact Us

Outdoor Safety Tips

During the warm weather months people enjoy spending their time outdoors. Whether working in the yard or the garden, or just celebrating the summer with family and friends, remember these tips to prevent an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office or the emergency room due to an injury. The Indiana Hand Center and the Washington Township Fire Department want you to have a safe summer by following these tips.

Tips For Fireworks Safety

Fireworks can be a fun addition to summer celebrations. They can also cause severe injury and even death. Prevent unnecessary fireworks disasters.

  • Understand the difference between legal fireworks and illegal explosives before buying. Explosives can cause serious injury or death. Always purchase fireworks from a reliable source.
  • Never try to construct homemade fireworks. They can cause serious injury or death.
  • Never allow children to play with fireworks. Fireworks should always be used under the close supervision of an adult.
  • When igniting fireworks, be sure people are completely out of the way. Keep a large bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of fire.
  • Never re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned.

Tips For Lawnmower Safety

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, each year, more than 74,000 small children, adolescents and adults are injured due to improper handling of lawnmowers. Protect your hands and stay safe mowing your grass.

  • Do not wear rings, loose jewelry, or bracelets that may catch on a lawnmower.
  • Do not remove safety devices, shields, or guards.
  • Never insert hands or feet into a lawnmower to remove grass or sticks. Turn equipment off in order to inspect, clean, or to perform repairs.
  • Never allow a child to operate a lawnmower or be anywhere near a mowing area.
  • Never allow passengers on riding mowers.

Tips For Safe Yard Work

Yard work can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Avoid dangerous situations and unnecessary accidents while working in the yard.

  • Keep young children away from the work area at all times.
  • Ensure that hand-powered equipment such as saws, weed cutting devices, and hedge trimmers are in good repair and safe to operate. Never leave lawn equipment laying in the yard unattended.
  • Keep hands away from moving blades on equipment.
  • Always wear protective gloves and eye protection when operating lawn equipment. When performing tasks that require a ladder, be sure the ladder is secured. Make sure a family member or friend is within visible distance in case of a fall.

When to Seek Emergency Care

  • You have severe hand or arm injury caused by contact sports, falling, or other trauma.
  • You have cut your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder and cannot stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure.
  • You have an accident involving a lawnmower or other lawn equipment.
  • You have severed a finger or other part of the hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder.
  • You have injured your hand or arm in a fireworks accident.

If someone is badly hurt or in danger, CALL 911 immediately.