HAND SAFETY TIPS
Avoiding Ring Injuries
Always remove rings before participating in any sporting activity or operating machinery. A ring can easily become caught or snagged. Fingers can become jammed, sprained, bruised, broken, dislocated or even amputated. If your hand becomes caught in something, wearing a ring can make it difficult to remove.
Warm-up Exercises
Warming up before exercise is essential to preventing injury. Muscle, joint and tendon sprains are far more likely when the body isn’t properly prepared. The body should be eased into every activity. Activity should be done at a slow pace while gradually increasing speed and intensity. For instance, when playing a racquet sport, begin by holding the racquet lightly, then tightening the grip and swinging with more power as the body becomes accustomed to the activity.
Focus on the specific limbs you will be using and don’t forget to stretch the whole body. Opposing muscle groups should be stretched one after another. Many workouts exert more muscles in your body than may be readily apparent.
Cooling down (gradually slowing exercise rather than stopping immediately) afterwards is just as important as warming up for injury prevention, reduction of soreness and maximizing results from exercising. Always be sure to allow for proper rest and recovery time when embarking on an exercise program.
