If you tend to buy into stereotypes, when you think about gardening, you probably think of little old retired women in oversized straw hats on their hands and knees tending to their petunias or tomatoes or whatever. However, gardening is a hobby enjoyed by many people of all genders and ages, and it's a hobby that sometimes proves to not be for the faint of heart. Regardless of your experience with or thoughts about gardening, you can actually be injured while gardening. Really. It's true.



While gardening itself may not be a hazard to your health, the little unexpected events that come along with gardening can be serious health hazards. Think about it. You're on your hands and knees, pulling weeds or doing whatever it is that you do to your plants, and suddenly a snake springs up and bites you. Or an angry rabbit attacks you. Or you catch a serious case poison oak. Or you step on your hoe and get knocked out by the handle when it flies up and thumps your head.

Snake bites, rabbit attacks, quickly spreading poison oak, possible concussions – they all sound like legit reasons for a speedy trip to the emergency room, don't they? They're all also very painful, so the last thing you want is to get to the emergency room and find out your health insurance doesn't cover emergency room visits.

Plan ahead for these kinds of emergencies. Even if you aren't into gardening, accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and many accidents result in injuries that need emergency room attention. When you purchase a health insurance policy, make sure it covers emergency room visits; most do, but some require you to pay a hefty deductible, first. If you already have a health insurance policy, dig it out and find out how it handles emergency room visits. If you aren't satisfied, call your insurance agent to make necessary changes.