When gardening, take the following preparations before embarking on your work.
Right before starting machinery, it's a smart idea to remove any external objects from the area that could whip off and hurt someone or damage property nearby. Check for safety devices on your equipment and ensure they are turned on and operating properly. Objects to look for are things like wire, stones, toy cars,
When gardening it's important to wear the proper clothing. Even if hot, try to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to avoid injuries from objects thrown from your gardening tools. Jewelry can cause many life-long injuries in the form of cut off fingers and other injuries. Where appropriate anti-slip rubber soled shoes can provide a good balance. Eye protection is essential to avoid eye injuries caused by loose debris. Goggles made for gardening and construction and not swimming goggles should be used. Hearing protection should also be considered when operating gardening equipment like mulchers, lawn mowers, and hedgers to avoid longer-term ear drum damage.
Garden equipment can be dangerous even if you aren't actively using them. Crowded garages and sheds with sharp equipment can still inflict cuts and grazes. Maintain your equipment by checking oil (if required), loose lawn mower belts, missing guards, build ups of grease, and faulty wiring.
Common sense would say this, but to be on the safe side, never let a child rid or operate a tractor, ride on mower even if the child is supervised. Teenage children should employ caution if allowed. Whenever children enter the area, it's a good idea to stop the motorized garden work. Motorized garden tools tend to act like magnets to children who abound with curiosity. The best solution is to keep children inside and supervised when work is going on with power equipment.
If your power tool is gas powered, handle the gas carefully. Never fill gas tanks when the power tools are still hot or running. When storing gas for your power tools, be sure to keep the gasoline in a certified container, this preserves the fuel and ensures it does not leak.
Garden equipment can be dangerous even if you aren't actively using them. Crowded garages and sheds with sharp equipment can still inflict cuts and grazes. Maintain your equipment by checking oil (if required), loose lawn mower belts, missing guards, build ups of grease, and faulty wiring.
Mostly common sense will be your friend as you garden, however, some of these points may even escape the most adamant of safe gardeners.
