Philadelphia (April 2002)—April is the perfect time for spring cleaning. However, cleaning houses, cars, and workplaces can cause personal injury, including back strains, muscle fatigue, and orthopedic injuries. In honor of Occupational Therapy Month, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s occupational therapists offer the following safety tips for spring cleaning:

• Never mix two cleaning solutions together. The reaction may release fumes dangerous to the lungs or cause chemical burns to skin and deeper tissues.
• Place cleaning products out of the reach of children.
• When lifting items, bend your knees and keep your back straight. Keep objects close to your body.
• Watch the position of your wrists as you work. Avoid strains and sprains by keeping your hands in line with your wrists as much as possible to prevent stress on ligaments and tendons.
• Try the environmentally friendly recipe for cleaning windows. Mix and spray on equal parts of vinegar and water. Polish dry with black and white newspaper for an outstanding shine.
• Pace your tasks. Sweeping and vacuuming provide a real aerobic workout. Take it one room at a time and rest in between.
• Check your posture as you use a broom or vacuum. Stand straight with your feet and shoulders parallel to your hips. Avoid bending and twisting.
• Limit repetitive motions to periods of 15 minutes or less. It is common to have tendon and nerve injuries after a chore such as cleaning an oven or waxing a floor.
• Moisturize your skin after any type of cleaning or hand work to prevent minor injuries such as scrapes, tears, and cracking.

Occupational therapists at Magee Rehabilitation specialize in the treatment of people who have spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, orthopedic conditions, cognitive disorders, vision disorders and work-related injuries. Occupational therapy differs from physical therapy. Physical therapy works on strength and movement, while occupational therapy applies that strength and movement to all the activities of daily living.