As with all garden machinery, extreme care has to be taken when operating. Safety clothing is a must when working in the garden, especially at this time of the year, as some surfaces may become wet and slippery; the use of a good pair of shoes with adequate grip and proper gardening gloves is a must.

Dead heading and digging require some physical activity and let’s face it after laying around in the garden all summer our bodies might not be used to the extra exercise. Take care when lifting pots and planters, proper manual handling has to be observed. Many people are taken to local hospitals each year by simply not lifting objects properly and end up with back problems which will haunt them for years to come.

After we have stripped and cleared all that is required from our garden – all too often there is a pile of rubbish that has to go and one of the best ways is to have a bonfire. There are rules governing bonfires in Britain, you can have a bonfire at any time of the day and as many times as you want as long as the smoke does not effect anyone whether it be washing or smoke entering their homes. Special care has to be taken when lighting a bonfire:

1. Don’t light it if you thing that its too high and you won’t be able to control the fire
2. Don’t have it close to any building, shed, or flammable material i.e. hedge or tree which might catch fire.
3. Never light a fire if the wind is strong as this will carry burning embers towards your own or other property.

Most of the points highlighted here are common sense, however, if more people had followed them, then 300,000 people would not have needed to contact their local accident and emergency last year after suffering an injury within their own garden.

Related posts:

1. Happy Gardening Safety Tips
2. The Garden! Place of Beauty or Death Trap?
3. Keeping Safe From Fireworks

There are simple safety steps that you can try to make to prevent some accidents from happening, to some people it may sound like common sense but they still end up at their local hospital.

Ignorance, lack of skill or training to use the machinery properly and poor maintenance are all issues that have harmed professional gardeners as well as the keen amateur. Using a lawnmower to some people is simple operation but 5300 people disagree, that’s how many were treated in local A & Es in 2007.

Mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters and chainsaws all must be used by competent people wearing the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This can include gloves, ear defenders and steel-toe caped boots. Always read the manufactures guidance notes.

A good thing to remember is that in many cases this will be the first bit of exercise that you have done all year, so before you start, gently stretch your muscles, and if possible avoid repetitive garden work. Back problems affect people of all ages and can make gardening a painful experience. If you have to lift anything heavy remember to bend your knees and keep your back straight, and if at all possible use a wheelbarrow.

Another danger in the garden is the misuse of ladders, improper use will lead to a visit to your local A & E, read the instructions then read them again, don’t assume that you know how to use them, the top of a ladder is not a storage shelf or a seat. Don’t ever step or sit on the top step, and never use it to store heavy materials. It’s designed to hold nothing much heavier than a tin of paint or a few lightweight tools.

Gardens are meant to be a place for enjoyment and relaxation, but can be as dangerous as any workplace.

Related posts:

1. Autumn Gardening Safety Tips
2. Happy Egg Rolling Day