Gardening Safety at Home

With the warmer weather slowly but surely arriving, it means we will be spending more time in the garden tidying it and trying to make it pretty for the summer months. If like us, you need a whole garden refurbishment, then you have a big job ahead of you. If you are a beginner or expert gardener, health and safety should always be a priority. Here are my tips for gardening safely:

Avoid trip hazards

Avoid trip hazards such as loose paving slabs, garden hoses can camouflage well into the grass, and tools such as spades and rakes can cause a serious injury if left on the ground and stood on. 

Storage

Make sure to store you garden tools safely.  Sharp tools should be locked away, especially from children. Lock away electrical equipment to keep it dry and away from the wet weather, and lock away chemicals such as weed killers and insecticides.

Dress to protect

Make sure you wear the correct protective equipment to avoid a serious injury when working in the garden. Especially when operating machinery such as lawn mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and hedge-trimmers:

• Wear safety goggles, sturdy shoes, chainsaw gloves and trousers to prevent injury when using power tools and equipment.
• Wear gardening gloves to avoid, cuts, and possible irritants.
• Be aware of the sun. Wear long sleeves, hats, sunglasses, and SPF sunscreen.

Barbecues

Barbecues and other fuel-burning appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal when not used safely. Never use these items within a confined space, such as a tent, caravan or conservatory. Remember you can’t smell, taste or see carbon monoxide. Never leave a barbecue unattended and make sure the flames are fully extinguished when finished with.