Whether you are an experienced gardener or you are just getting started in this hobby, it is important that you stay safe. Even when you are just completing simple tasks, there are numerous threats out there which you should stay protected against. And you especially need to be careful if you are handling power tools or other sharp implements. In this blog post, we will look closer at some of the best ways that you can stay safe and protected while you are out in your garden. As well as making sure you follow procedures properly, there are also a host of protective measures that you can take including wearing the right clothing. Let’s start with this issue and move onto some others afterwards.
Dress With Protection in Mind
Just a few of the threats that you should be defending yourself against when you are out in the garden include garden pests and other creatures, harmful chemicals, dangerous equipment, damaging weather conditions, and poisonous or prickly plants. To start off with, you should look to wear safety goggles to protect your eyesight, particularly when you are operating power tools when it is more likely that loose objects will fly back into your eyes. Sturdy shoes will protect your feet from anything heavy or sharp falling on them, while it is also a good idea to wear long pants. When you are using loud machinery, you should wear hearing defenders as this is something which can end up being permanently damaged if you are exposed to loud noises for too long.
Gloves should be worn at all times as these will help to reduce the risk of skin irritation, cuts and contaminants. During the summer months, insects and other pests become more of a problem, so you could try using insect repellent that contains DEET. Long sleeved shirts mean that less of your skin will be exposed to them. Not only this, you help to protect yourself against sunburn. You can also protect further against this issue by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen with a high factor, particularly on any skin that is subject to sustained sun exposure such as the back of your neck. Ideally, you should be looking for sunscreen with an spf factor of 30 or above.
Understand How to Properly Use the Tools
There is no doubt that power tools such as a backpack blower make gardening a huge amount simpler. But before you invest in anything, you should make sure that you are completely comfortable in how to use it. The professionals at your garden centre should be able to provide you with a range of different advice. You can also find a lot of practical information online. And if you are able to get someone who knows what they are doing to show you the ropes, this is even better.
To further reduce your risk of injury, wear the clothing we have already talked about above, limit distractions as much as possible, follow the instructions that are provided, make sure the equipment is working properly and keep everything out of the reach of children. Accidents can and do happen in the garden on a daily basis so you need to be fully aware of the threats that you face and the ways in which you can reduce them.
Know Your Limits in Extreme Weather Conditions
Poor weather can seriously impact your gardening anyway, so you want to avoid wet and windy conditions whenever possible. With regards to the heat, exposure to high temperatures can cause a myriad of health issues, so you should be careful how much time you are spending out in the sun. If you are out for a sustained period of time, you need to make sure that you drink plenty of fluids and take breaks where you move out of the sun. If you find that you are feeling dizzy or sick, you should stop working immediately. And you should also follow the protective advice that we have already talked about (wear a hat, sunscreen etc).
Be Careful with Repetitive Motions
Gardening tends to involve a whole range of repetitive motions, but you need to be careful of any skin, tendon or nerve irritation caused by activities such as digging, trimming hedges, raking or pruning bushes. Try to vary your gardening tasks every 15 minutes with a brief rest in between each one of them so you are not working the same muscles over and over again. This will also help to prevent you from getting bored and losing interest in gardening as well.
Always Choose the Right Tool for the Job
First of all, you should always use a tool rather than your hands. A hand shovel or a rake is always going to be more effective for digging and there may also be sharp objects in the soil which could cause you harm. Remember that every tool has an intended purpose, so you should always stick to using each one for that particular purpose. When you are looking at loppers or shears for example, always go for ones which feature a safety lock for added protection. When you are not using electronic or power tools, make sure that they are unplugged to prevent any hazards from occurring.
Watch Your Posture
You may not really think of your posture as being a particularly important issue, but remember that gardening involves a lot of bending down which could cause back and joint pain and other issues. Don’t forget to consider the angle of your wrist while you are using hand tools – grip strength tends to be improved when it is in a relaxed or neutral position. If you start experiencing any pain, avoid getting back into the same position and take a break.