Tips for gardening safety

Gardening this summer? Whether you’re new to gardening or an expert, remember to keep your health and safety a priority. Did you know that gardeners can be prone to tetanus infections? Tetanus lives in the soil and enters the body through breaks in the skin, especially when using sharp tools, digging in the dirt, or handling plants with sharp points. Before you start gardening this season: Make sure your tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination is up-to-date. Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) generally covers shots needed to prevent illness. Contact your Medicare drug plan for more information about coverage. Have a good set of gardening gloves, which can help lower the risk for skin irritations and cuts.  Visit Medicare.gov for more on vaccine coverage. And find additional gardening safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sincerely, The Medicare Team