GARDENERS should be careful carrying buckets of water, an increasingly common practice since the introduction of Stage 3 water restrictions on 1 January.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association has warned that lifting heavy buckets of water can readily cause back injuries.
APA president Peter Fazey said older people were most at risk but anyone could suffer a back injury from lifting.
“Wrist, shoulder and back pain is also more likely when carrying heavy buckets or watering cans. Warming up with a few stretches can make a difference, and its worth stretching a bit more when you’re done,” Mr Fazey said.
City West Water’s managing director, Anne Barker said attaching hoses to take grey water from bathrooms and laundries could be one way of avoiding back injury.
