When you are performing landscaping chores at your home, there are several safety tips that you must follow to avoid a serious injury. Before you begin to use any heavy equipment or climb any ladders, make sure to understand the safety guidelines that are recommended by professional landscapers.
Wear Safety Gear To Prevent an Injury
It is vital to wear safety gear while you are working outside on the lawn of your home. Wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying projectiles along with thick gloves to protect your hands. Make sure to cover your feet with shoes rather than wearing sandals, and also, you should cover your torso, arms and legs to prevent cuts or bruises.
Understand Where You Are Digging
If you plan to dig outside your home, then make sure to have a schematic of the land so that you will know where the gas and water lines are located. You must also know where the underground electrical cables are located to avoid an injury from a damaged wire.
Don’t Work Outside When It Is Raining
It is a bad idea to work outside while it is raining for several reasons, including the dangers from lightning. In addition, the moisture from rain can affect your landscaping tools, leading to an accidental electrocution. Rainwater also makes surfaces slippery, making it easier to fall from a ladder.
Keep Pets and Children Away From Work Areas
You should make sure that children and pets are away from your work areas on a lawn. Have your children and pets stay inside a house or a fenced area while you are working. Do not permit anyone to approach the work area while you are taking a break. Injuries can incur from your lawn care equipment if unsupervised.
Know How To Use a Ladder
While a ladder may seem simple to use, it can become a dangerous piece of equipment. The legs from a ladder can sink into the damp soil, leading to a fall. In addition, if a metal ladder touches a live electrical wire, then an electrical charge can travel through the metal, leading to a lethal shock.
Don’t Work When You Are Impaired
When you are using lawn mowers, digging equipment or tractors at your home, it is essential for you to think clearly. Don’t use machinery after taking certain types of medication or drinking alcohol because you might make a poor decision that leads to a dangerous injury.
Avoid Using Extension Cords
You might think that using an extension cord on your electrical landscaping equipment is a good idea, but if it isn’t the proper type of electrical cord, then it can overheat, leading to a fire or electrical shock. In addition, you might drive over an electrical cord while working on your lawn, leading to additional dangers.