If you have recently become a gardening enthusiast, you will know how rewarding it can be to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Many people these days are also making their own compost. While this is a great way to use organic waste in an environmentally friendly way, how good is it for your health? Let’s discuss some of the safety precautions you should take when handling compost.


Firstly, think about what compost is comprised of, rotting matter. It stands to reason then that compost contains some pretty dangerous pathogens. Try to have as little direct contact with compost as possible and when you do need to handle it, make sure to wear a good pair of gloves, appropriate footwear, and protective clothing. You must also thoroughly wash your hands after working with compost. Remember to do this even if you will be carrying on with another form of gardening afterward.


You are likely aware that compost has to be broken down, and this is done by tilling it. If you are tilling your compost by hand, make sure to wear a mask so that you avoid breathing in hazardous spores and bacteria as the compost is thrown in the air. Avoid tilling on days that are particularly windy to reduce your risk of exposure.


The final safety precaution we are going to mention is to store your compost in a breathable container that allows good airflow. Compost is a combustible material and can become dangerous if not stored properly.

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