Gardening is a great way to get some physical activity and add some aesthetic design to your home. Some people may think that it is an easy and lie-low type of hobby but you actually need to do a lot of garden safety precautions to enjoy gardening.
You read that right – turns out gardening is not as safe as you think it is. It actually exposes you to a lot of harm with all the tools you will be used, exposure to chemicals and insects, and working under the sun or with your body bent over most of the time.
Here is a list of safety precautions that you should implement the next time you do some gardening in your yard to avoid any discomfort, pain, or injury,
Garden safety protocols to keep in mind
Always wear protective gloves
When you do your gardening, your hands are exposed to a lot of dirt, bacteria, fungus, pesticides, and fertilizer. You must wear protective gloves so that you do not come in contact with these elements. A small cut can turn into a major infection when exposed.
Having on gloves will also reduce blistering on your hands and prevents damage to your fingernails. If possible use your hands less and use your tools more.
Avoid repetitive and prolonged actions
Your gardening tasks should be rotated every 15 minutes and you should take a rest in between so that you do not overwork your muscles. Repetitive motions done for a long duration can cause nerve, skin, and tendon irritation.
Have drinking water close by
Bring a drinking water bottle with you if you know you will be working on the garden for quite a while. Especially if you will be exposed to the heat. This will ensure that you will stay dehydrated.
Store your hose properly
Would you believe that a majority of garden-related accidents are caused by the garden hose? They are trip hazards because most people have the tendency to just leave them on the ground. You can prevent this from happening by getting a hose reel so that it has a proper storage space.
Unplug and disconnect
When you are using gasoline-powered tools and electrical tools, always unplug and disconnect right away when they are not in use. This will ensure that accidents will not happen while you are tending to other tasks.
Kneel, not bend
Working over your garden while you are bending or seating is not a bad idea but doing it for a long time will not be good for your back. Instead, you should practice kneeling. It is better for your back and you can use knee pads to protect your knees.
Keep kids and pets away
Most gardening tools are sharp and can be dangerous to kids and pets. While working with tools and you know they are around, try to keep them away from the garden. When putting away your tools, make sure you store the sharp ones and the dangerous ones out of reach. If possible, keep them in locked storage.
