Homes with either children or pets (or both) make up for a large majority of the population. Even the most safety-conscientious gardener cannot control the actions of children and animals. Unpredictable, curious and speedy, they run around the garden, knocking over plant pots, digging holes and generally causing a ruckus (it is uncanny how we could be describing either a child or pet under 5).
Approximately 300,000 garden related accidents are reported each year. It may seem like common sense, but it’s astonishing how many incidents happen due to a lack of key safety measures.
Any machine which uses a blade, electric current, or contains a hazardous or flammable liquid is a danger human or animal life. This advice may seem obvious when related to garden machinery, but pruners and secateurs also cause plenty of injuries in the garden. All it takes is an over excited pet jumping around or curious child to point at what you’re cutting, and suddenly you have an emergency on your hands.
Garden machines and tools should be out of reach of children and pets and securely put away after use.
The safest option is to make sure children and pets are not in the area when you are using garden machinery or sharp tools. Educating children on the hazards in and around the garden and the house is an important life skill and we should never assume that they understand. Show them each hazard and explain how and why it should be avoided.
Lawn mowing may seem like an obvious chore to delegate to an older child or teen. If you are thinking of adding this to the pocket money list, it’s important that they understand safety precautions and are confident and sensible when operating the mower.
The legal age limit for a walk behind mower is 12 years and 16 years for a riding mower, but even then, we all know maturity varies with each individual. Always make sure a responsible adult is present when older child or teen is working in the garden. When using electric mowers always make sure a Residual Current Device (RCD) is in place and they understand what will happen if they mow over the wires.
Top rules for an inexperienced lawnmower operator are:
- Clear the area. Toys, large debris and most importantly small children and pets should be indoors.
- A younger sibling or friend may badger you to push a mower or to sit on a ride on with you, but it’s not safe or legal.
- Gloves and eye protection should be worn.
- Are the conditions right for mowing? If the grass is wet or it’s looking like rain, postpone cutting the lawn to another day. Grass gets slippy, the mower and operator can slide and introduce a chance of injury.
- Make sure you can see. Mowing at dusk, dawn or in bad weather limits visibility and having a clear view of the grass and everything around you is paramount.
- Act sensibly when using the mower, they aren’t toys or go-karts, mowers have sharp blades and will cause serious injury or even death if not operated properly.
- When using an electric mower always be conscious of where the wires are. Cutting through a wire can cause a lethal electric shock.
The same rules apply for grass trimming and brush cutting.
The minimum age for using a hedge trimmer is 16 years.
Chainsaws should not be operated by under 16’s. Under 18’s
should have full and competent training before handling a chainsaw.
The appropriate safety wear should always be worn when using
a hedge trimmer or chainsaw.
Automatic lawnmowers and child and pet safety
When dealing with enquiries regarding robotic lawnmowers our sales team are commonly asked how safely they operate around children and pets.
Modern automatic mowers are designed with 360 degree sensors which guide the robotic mower around obstacles or change direction completely when something or someone is in their path. They are also fitted with alarms which sound and the blades stop when the mower detects it’s being lifted from the ground.
