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A special supplement to
Gardener's Diary
by Rosemary Martin
Safety in the garden is something we
often neglect, but according to reports, a large percentage of
accidents happen in the garden in the summer, with items such as lawn
mowers and hedge trimmers causing the most injuries. So I have
compiled a check list of items to check out before the gardening
season fully arrives..
Electrical equipment
-
Electrical equipment, including the cables and extension leads
should be checked and inspected before each use.
-
Don't
attempt repairs yourself, unless you are a qualified electrician.
-
An RCD
(Residual Current Detector) device should be fitted for outside
appliances to be plugged into. These sense electrical leakage or
failure and shut down the power to avoid electrical shocks.
-
Keep
all electrical equipment away from wet areas, children and pets.
-
Take
care that you know where or if there are any buried electric cables,
when digging.
Garden
tools
-
Garden
tools can be dangerous if left lying around so take care to
tidy up after yourself.
-
Make
sure that hand tools are kept in good condition and replace any that
aren't.
-
Never
leave a petrol mower running unattended and make sure you wear
appropriate safety items such as goggles or ear defenders if
advised.
-
Wear
sensible footwear at all times in the garden.
Chemicals and petrol
-
Chemicals and petrol should be kept under lock and key in a cool,
dry place.
-
Make
sure that children and animals cannot inadvertently get access to
them.
-
Make
sure that substances are within the use by date and dispose of them
according to the label. Check out the
Defra
guidelines for disposal that were introduced in 2003
The
garden
-
The
garden should be free of sharp objects, slippery paths covered in
moss, and uneven or unstable surfaces.
-
Make
sure that all the structures and boundaries in the garden are in
good repair.
-
Keep a
first aid kit in the house in case of injury.
-
Wear
gloves when gardening to protect hands from cuts and disease.
-
Protect
yourself from the sun.
-
If you
have children or animals in the garden be aware that some plants may
be poisonous.
-
Make
sure gates and boundaries are secured to keep children and animals
confined.
-
Ensure
that garden toys are safe and in good repair.
-
Always
cover ponds or water butts with substantial netting if there are
children or pets around, even those visiting neighbours. Or
have your pond professionally
protected..
-
Lift
heavy objects in the correct manner. Your first aid book will tell
you how to do this.
laterlife interest
The above article is part of the features section of laterlife.com
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laterlife interest.
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