Health & Safety in the Garden
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Whether you are a novice or an expert gardener, health and safety precautions are important to protect yourself, your family, and your pet as you head out to your garden.
Dress to protect
- Wear eye goggles
- A mask to prevent inhaling dust
- A hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck
- Gloves for hand protection
- Sturdy shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles
- Loose-fitting clothes with long sleeves and long pants
- No jewelry that can catch on something
Honor your limits
- Long periods of time in high temperatures can lead to serious health problems
- Stay hydrated
Use good body mechanics
- Maintain a strong core
- Engage your core muscles for lifting or stretching
- Keeping your stomach tight will protect your back
- When lifting heavy objects, lift with legs and keep the object close to your body
- Raised beds make for less bending and stooping than a traditional garden
- If working at ground level, use a kneeling pad, knee pads, or a garden seat
- Ergonomic and lightweight tools reduce repetitive stress injuries
Safety first
- Keep sharp tools and machinery safely stored and locked away from children and pets
- Check equipment before each use
- Limit distractions while working with equipment
- Keep your work area free of sticks, glass, metal, wire, and stones that can cause injury or damage
Know your plants
- Teach children not to eat anything they pick or find in the garden until you approve it
- Assure that the plants in your garden are in no way toxic to humans and animals
Water features
- Ensure that pools, ponds, and water features are covered or fenced
- Remove any items that may collect standing water such as buckets and toys
- Discourage mosquito breeding
Pesticides and fertilizers
- Read instructions and labels before using
- Keep these safely and securely stored
- Remind children not to pick up or eat anything they find in the garden until they check with you