Date Added: 7/17/2008
Posted by:
 administrator
 David.Birrellfife.gov.uk

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Garden Safety

A garden should be a fun and safe place for the whole family. But it can also be full of unexpected dangers, especially for children when left unattended.

You can make your garden a safe place and get the best out of it by following these simple safety rules.

 

Look after yourself

• Plan work ahead and take your time – tiredness can make you careless.
• Use safety equipment designed for the job. Protect your sight with safety glasses or a visor when using hedgetrimmers, stone cutters and strimmers. Wear ear plugs or defenders when using noisy machinery like chainsaws or compost shredders. Proper footwear and gloves can also be used to prevent injury.

• Treat power tools with respect – read and follow the instructions carefully.
• Keep trailing leads well away from moving blades. Use an RCD (residual current device) to protect you from suffering an electric shock.
• Check all plugs, wiring and controls for damage regularly – don’t try to repair worn cables, get them replaced.
• Switch off petrol driven equipment and unplug electrical tools before making adjustments, cleaning or checking for damage.
• Always keep electrical tools dry, and well away from children.

• Falls are responsible for the largest number of accidents in the garden and can be particularly serious for older people.
• Repair or clear uneven paving slabs, broken concrete, muddy or moss covered paths as quickly as possible.
• Store garden equipment tidily to save everyone from slips and trips.

• Start bonfires well away from trees, hedges, sheds, fences and your house. Use firelighters to get them going, and keep the fire small so that it doesn’t get out of control.
• Site barbecues away from wooden fences and sheds. Never use petrol to start them.
• Keep children well away from bonfires and barbecues – don’t leave children unsupervised.

• Keep chemicals, paint and fertilisers, etc under lock and key, and always in their original containers.
• Children make a bee-line for garden ponds, paddling and swimming pools. Ideally, fill garden ponds and make them into sandpits or fence them in while the children are young. Empty paddling pools immediately after use. Fence off swimming pools or use a child-proof cover.
• Fix play equipment securely and check regularly for wear and tear. Keep swings well away from glass, trees and bushes and avoid placing them on hard surfaces, such as gravel or paving.
• Be wary about plants which could be poisonous or present a choking hazard.
• Mend broken fences and keep gates closed to stop inquisitive children finding their way outside onto busy streets.