Composting Safely

Have you recently started your own compost pile? There is something so rewarding about having a garden of your own. Composting, however, while good for the environment, also comes with some hazards that you need to be aware of. Here are a few suggestions for composting safely:

Given the nature of compost, it is easy to see why caution should be taken when handling it. Rotting matter can produce dangerous pathogens that are not good to breathe in, so make sure you are wearing a good pair of gloves, proper footwear, and protective clothing when handling it. Take these items off before entering your home, and don’t forget to wash your hands immediately after, even if you are just going to continue gardening afterward.

As you are probably aware, compost has to be tilled for it to break down properly. If you are doing this manually, make sure you wear an adequate face mask that will prevent you from breathing in hazardous spores that will become airborne when the compost is tilled. You may also want to avoid tilling your compost on days that are windy as this will increase the danger.

Lastly, be aware that compost will become combustible if not stored properly, so make sure your compost is kept in a container that allows a good amount of airflow.