5 Most Useful Tips for Gardening Safety

Every year, gardeners and gardening enthusiasts spend a lot of time in the garden. With a lot of work to be done, gardening safety and gardener protection is something that needs special consideration.
Of course, when thinking of gardening safety, the first thing that comes to mind is sharp tools and machinery, but there are many other types of hazards beyond that. That's why we've prepared this guide to introduce you to head-to-toe garden protection.

PROTECT YOUR HEAD
Cutting down branches overhead can be a pain, both figuratively and literally. Branches that may fall from heights are always a major factor in gardening safety.
When pruning trees, wear a hard hat to protect your precious noggin and avoid hoodies and scarves, which can block your view and get tangled up in garden machinery.
Heat can also be a hazard. Therefore, wear a hat or bush hat when the sun is shining down.
Finally, removing items from a cluttered shed can be more dangerous than garden work. Stay organized - especially any raised shelves.

KEEP YOUR HANDS SAFE IN THE GARDEN

It's always a good idea to wear gloves when using anything from saws and loppers to lawn mowers. It's also important to wear garden gloves when handling plants, especially since some plants can cause irritation when they come in contact with your skin.
Don't cut what you can't see, and don't stick both hands into the hedge to trim. In many cases, it's not the hand holding the tool that gets hurt, but the other hand. In the worst cases your fingers may even be cut off.
It may seem obvious, but you certainly need to be aware of the mower blades - make sure the engine is turned off or unplugged before going near them.
Finally, be sure to protect cuts and scrapes with plaster or protective gloves. It is absolutely essential to keep your wounds clean when rooting in the soil. If you're not careful, you can contract some nasty pathogens, including tetanus.

TORSO PROTECTION
It may not occur to many people that wearing the right clothing is also an important part of gardening safety. Tough tops and long pants are important, as quality clothing can protect you more than you think.
Likewise, temperature is important. For example, don't overdress if it's a hot day, and don't underdress if it's wet and cold. If you're working hard on a cold day, be sure to get inside immediately after you finish to avoid getting sick as your body cools.
When working in the hot sun, remember that clothing is the first line of defense, so it's a good idea to wear long sleeves to protect delicate skin. Likewise, you should always remember to use a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher.

BE KIND TO YOUR KNEES
Since most gardening is done on the ground, many times you will have to get down

on your knees. Knee mats or knee pads are the best way to protect your joints and make weeding or seeding more comfortable. After all, a gardener's physical health should be among the things to protect for gardening safety, right?

TREAT YOUR FEET WELL
Always wear proper footwear. You can wear wellies for soft work, but if you're paving or operating heavy machinery, then it's best to wear steel-toed shoes. When digging, wear sensible shoes so you don't get hurt by misalignment of the shovel.
When you have to tend to your garden in rain or snow, remember to wear rain boots to keep your feet warm and dry.

It is important to obtain the proper clothing and safety equipment to stay safe and healthy in the garden. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with some practical gardening safety tips so that you know how to get the job done easily and safely.
Gardepot offer a wide range of gardening tools and protective gear that gardeners need, and if you want to learn more about gardening, check out our other articles.