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" Ahhh, gardening. It&amp;#039;s a relaxing hobby that has been shown to lower blood pressure, burn calories, and even improve sex lives. However, there are some potential hazards, if you&amp;#039;re not careful. 1. Accidental cuts and scrapes If you regularly handle thorny plants and sharp tools, make sure you&amp;#039;re up to date on your tetanus vaccine. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults have one every 10 years.) Tetanus bacteria can live in soil and enter your body through wounds on your hands. Tetanus symptoms include mild spasms in the jaw muscles (that&amp;#039;s why it&amp;#039;s often referred to as lockjaw), which can become more painful and move down the body. It can also cause breathing problems. Your best protection? Always wear thick, sturdy gloves. 2. Disease-carrying bugs Lyme disease is the most well-known of the diseases that an infected tick passes on (they can carry at least 11 different infections), and it causes fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. Long-term Lyme effects include fatigue, achy muscles, and cognitive defects. Make sure you thoroughly check yourself before coming inside, and consider tucking your pants into your socks and wearing a hat while you&amp;#039;re tending your plants. RELATED: 4 Ways to Avoid Ticks \u00BB 3. Harsh chemicals According to Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI), the Environmental Protection Agency has approved more than 200 different pesticides for lawn care, but these are often mixed together and sold with other toxic chemicals. &amp;quot;Some chemicals commonly used on lawns and gardens have been associated with birth defects, mutations, adverse reproductive effects, and cancer in laboratory animals,&amp;quot; the EHHI reports. These harmful combos can also have a negative ecological effect, including contaminating area water sources. If you aren&amp;#039;t sure what to buy, stick with organic mulches or speak with an expert at your local gardening center. 4. Long, hot afternoons When gardening during the day, take regular breaks in the shade and drinking plenty of water. If you start to feel dizzy, lethargic, or get a headache, you may be dehydrated. To quickly replenish your body&amp;#039;s electrolytes, grab a sports drink or water with added salt. RELATED: 3 Signs of Heat Stroke You Might Be Overlooking \u00BB 5. Extended sun exposure It&amp;#039;s not the beach, but you&amp;#039;re still exposing your skin to the sun for a long period of time and that can quickly lead to a sunburn. Reapply plenty of sunscreen throughout the day, and don&amp;#039;t forget your neck and the backs of your hands (if you&amp;#039;re not wearing gloves) \u2014 they need extra protection. 6. Poisonous plants Even the prettiest flowers (think poinsettias, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons) can pose a risk if accidentally ingested. Always monitor young children and pets closely if they&amp;#039;re with you in the garden. RELATED: 8 Deadly Plants You Might Have at Home \u00BB 7. Overexerting yourself Improper lifting and lowering techniques (darn that heavy bag of mulch) can lead to tendonitis, sprains, or breaks. Also avoid doing chores, like raking, that require a repetitive motion for extended periods of time to cut down on aches in the arms and back. Another thing to look out for is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which comes from straining the hands and wrists over and over. You may find gardening relaxing, but think of it like going to the gym: You have to limber up. Lisa McKeown, OT, OTR/L, an occupational therapist at Harvard, suggests warm-up wrist exercises to help prevent injury. 8. Loud noises Power tools like mowers, gas-powered string trimmers, chippers and shredders, rotary tillers, and chain saws all operate in the 80 to 105 decibel range. Anything above 80 dB can cause permanent hearing damage, so ear protection is highly recommended for heavy duty yard work. Photo credit: Blend Images/Getty Images  NEXT: The Hidden Dangers of the Hot Tub \u00BB "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/advice/a25635/gardening-dangers/>