Itching to get the yard into shape for the summer?

Here are ways to help ensure your spring spruce-up is disaster-free.

• Limber up. Yard chores may seem easy, but they involve muscles you probably haven’t used in a while.
• Always wear protective clothing when you handle pesticides and fertilizers,
• More than 60,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for lawn-mower injuries.
• Rake before you mow to prevent any stones and loose debris from launching into the air.
• Never operate a mower in your bare feet and avoid wearing loose clothing.
• Never start a mower indoors.
• When refueling your mower, make sure the engine is off and cool. Don’t spill gasoline on a hot engine — and don’t smoke while pouring gasoline.
• Never leave your mower operational while unattended.
• Don’t use electrical mowers on wet Grass.