Stay Safe While Gardening: Tips and Precautions for a Risk-Free Work in the Garden

What are the sources of danger when gardening?

The most common sources of danger when gardening include in particular ladders, sharp garden tools as well as thorns, Toxic plants and insect bites. overexertion and a wrong posture at work in the garden are an additional source of danger, causing pain and accidents. Worry particularly often trip hazards such as cables, hoses or tools, for garden accidents.

Avoid hazards: clothing and tools

With suitable protective clothing such as sturdy shoes, long trousers and work gloves, you avoid the greatest dangers in the garden. In summer you should also go to the sun protection and enough water regard. One of the biggest sources of danger is the overexertion that comes with the hard physical work in the garden. Before you start gardening, you should make the following preparations:

Check tools and equipment

• Check that your gardening tools are in good condition and properly maintained.
• Make sure ladders and scaffolding are stable.
• Only use sharp and pointed tools when you are not exhausted.
• Check the condition of cords and plugs on electrical garden equipment.

Secure garden before work

• Make sure the lawn is sufficiently dry for gardening.
• Remove all tripping hazards such as rocks, tools, garden hoses or cables.
• Get help for dangerous work steps, such as securing the ladder.
• Make sure that there are no children or pets near the work surface.

Get the gardening done right

• Avoid lifting or moving heavy objects alone.
• Plan sufficient breaks during gardening.
• Work without distractions like smartphones or loud music.
• Avoid working in the same position and posture for long periods of time to avoid pain and injury.

For every work step you should die appropriate equipment and protective clothing prepare. For example, gardening gloves are mandatory when working with poisonous plants. However, if you handle electric saws, hedge trimmers or weed pullers, you should use cut protection gloves.

Garden tools: tips for more safety

There is the right gardening tool for every work step, which supports you when working in the garden. Today, many of these devices are motorized, which requires extra care. But even without a motor, scissors, saws or hoes are often the cause of accidents. Ladders and scaffolding are also sources of danger in your own garden. In any case, you should inspect each tool before use and put it away safely after use. With the following tips for more security minimize the danger by using garden tools:

mowing machine

Make sure that you always use the lawn mower on level ground without stones or roots. Wear appropriate protective equipment when mowing the lawn, including hearing protection, eye protection, work gloves, long pants and sturdy shoes. Make sure there are no children or pets in the work area.

Garden and hedge shears

Before using, make sure the scissors are sharp and well maintained to ensure effortless cutting. Wear appropriate protective gear, including work gloves and safety goggles, to protect your eyes from flying debris and twigs. Avoid working with the scissors near power lines and use a ladder if you are unable to reach the desired height from a safe position.

ladders and scaffolding

Before use, check that all rungs of the ladder are intact and support your weight. Make sure the ladder is stable and placed on level ground. Avoid using the top step of the ladder as it drastically increases the risk of falling. For the best possible balance, you should only take one arm or one leg off the ladder at a time. Also, whenever possible, get backup assistance when climbing the ladder. How to protect yourself from falls, which are considered the leading cause of garden accidents.

chainsaws

Make sure the chainsaw is sharp and well maintained for maximum safety. Always wear safety goggles, work gloves and sturdy shoes when using a chainsaw. Only use the chainsaw when you are fully recovered and not distracted. This is the best way to protect yourself from accidents with this tool.

spade

Wear appropriate protective gear, including work gloves and sturdy shoes, to protect your hands and feet. Avoid using the spade on hard or rocky ground to avoid pain and injury. Always hold the spade with both hands and make sure it is firmly and securely in your hand. When digging, bend your knees and pick up the spade with your back straight. This will protect you from a sore back while gardening.

Secure garden for children

Accidents do not only happen when working in the garden. Unfortunately, the garden itself is also a source of danger for people and animals. Poisonous plants in the garden are probably the greatest danger. These are often easy to care for and beautiful, but even the smallest amounts of yew or wisteria are highly dangerous if eaten. Be particularly careful to secure cultivated poisonous plants or in the best case, do without these plants in the garden altogether.

Another source of danger water points in the garden. Garden pool and pond must always supervised especially when small children are present. Always cover the pool or pond when not in use, to avoid accidentally falling in. Use a heavy and sturdy cover for this, which ideally can be secured with a lock or other security mechanism.

For children, the play area in the garden is where they spend most of their time. playhouse, sandbox or swing included regularly checked and maintained. In these areas, ensure that all play equipment is operational. Also make sure that there are no sharp edges or tripping hazards on the garden toys.

Gardening and insurance: personal liability and accident insurance

Accidents in the garden and during gardening are primarily covered by private liability insurance and accident insurance. Liability insurance covers damage caused to third parties. This is the case, for example, when a neighbor’s child gets injured while playing in the garden. Accident insurance, on the other hand, offers financial protection for accidents that occur while gardening. The prerequisite for this is that the accident insurance also covers accidents in your free time and in your own garden.

If a garden accident does occur, do it now

When a garden accident happens, it is important to provide first aid quickly. In the case of serious injuries call 112 immediately and call the emergency services. Answer the most important W-questions:

• What happened?
• Who is affected – a child or an adult?
• How many injured are there?
• Where did the accident happen?

Wait for questions and follow the instructions of the emergency services. Then begin to initiate situation-dependent first aid measures: Place the person in a stable side position, stop the bleeding, and then dress the wound. However, depending on the nature of the injury, you should use other first aid techniques. If you are unsure, ask the emergency services what to do.

Conclusion: With a little caution, you can work safely in the garden

Gardening is fun and the hard work pays off: A green idyll is the reward for extensive preparatory work. This work is made easier with the help of garden tools such as lawn mowers or hedge trimmers. But with these tools comes a lot of responsibility and unfortunately also a certain risk of accidents. It is therefore important that you know and avoid the sources of danger. Make sure every garden tool is in good condition. Only use the devices with the appropriate protective clothing and put away all equipment after use. Secure your garden when children play in it. Take care of and monitor the garden toys and always pay attention to the water points in your garden. By taking these precautions, you will ensure that the risk of accidents in the garden is minimized.