Given that people generally enjoy being outside, it is not unexpected that gardening has become a major interest. Now, gardening may appear to be a carefree hobby and safety may not first cross your mind, but it can easily result in damage. Each year, accidents involving garden equipment, from simple ladders to power tools, result in close to 400,000 injuries.

While gardens are undoubtedly a good place to unwind, this does not mean that safety precautions should be ignored. To prevent your garden from turning into a danger zone, think about the following gardening safety advice before you begin mowing the lawn, cutting, pruning, climbing ladders, or your most recent DIY project.

READY YOURSELF Avoid jumping into garden work without first preparing. Warming up initially makes sense because the majority of that task requires a lot of physical effort. Have your water bottle handy if you anticipate working longer hours so you can keep hydrated. Additionally, avoid working in the sun and between 10 am and 3 pm, when it is the hottest of the day. Wear long sleeves and pants, a hat with a wide brim, and always use sunscreen. Don’t expose yourself to the risk of cataracts and temporary blindness by not wearing sunglasses that comply with the regulations.

After warming up, pay attention to your posture. When holding the tools, your wrist angle is equally as important as your whole body alignment. Because your grip strength is greatest when it is relaxed and in a neutral position, make sure it is under those conditions. According to research, keeping your wrist bent can cause you to lose up to 25% of your grip strength. This could make you less accurate or perhaps cause you to drop your tool and injure yourself.

USE SAFELY THE APPROPRIATE TOOLS Never clean with your bare hands or dig with them. Always use the correct equipment for the job because there can be sharp objects in the soil or concealed beneath mounds of leaves. Make sure you have the appropriate tools for the job at hand, and store them in a secure location that is out of children’s reach.

Use caution when using power tools as they can be fairly sharp. You should also unplug electric tools’ cords when not in use to prevent mishaps. Utilize equipment just for its intended purpose. Look for shears or pruners with safety locks when buying them. Avoid form-fitting handles because they only suit one hand size properly, causing greater strain on your hand if you have smaller or larger hands.

Last but not least, carefully read and adhere to the tool’s manufacturer’s instructions.

WEAR PROTECTIVE JEWELRY ALWAYS Wearing protective garden clothes ranks highly on the list of safety precautions, along with being prepared for garden work and using the proper tools safely. This essential element will protect you from injury, sunburn, and injuries. It is preferable to buy a variety of workwear that includes different items such trousers, shirts, coats, and vests so you can add or remove gear according on the type of work you do.

Safety glasses, gardening gloves, long pants, and sturdy garden shoes are the absolute necessities. Gardening safety gloves are a need since they guard against cuts and skin irritation on your hands. Long-sleeved protective clothes can be quite helpful against insects, pests, and chemicals, depending on the work you intend to accomplish. Never plan garden work if you have photosensitive skin without long sleeves and pants. Make sure you use hearing protection and a nose and mouth mask to protect yourself from dust and probable allergic reactions or even asthma attacks if you intend to use heavier machines and more serious work to chop wood.

“Work Smart, Not Hard,” Plan your day’s workload to avoid working longer than necessary. Work in sections and take breaks in between. Avoid engaging in repetitive motions for an extended period of time, especially if you are over 60 or have back problems, tendonitis, or arthritis.

Keep a garden chair handy so you can rest or even utilize it to complete your work rather than bending over. It will relieve pressure on your spine and joints. Although bending is bad for the spine, if you can’t work while seated, at least think about utilizing kneeling pads. At all costs, use Protect your back , so if you need to carry something heavy, work smarter rather than harder. Keep the burden close to your body and put the strain on your legs. Use carts and levers whenever possible for even better results.

IF THERE IS A HURT Even with all safety precautions taken, injuries can still occur, therefore it’s critical to know what to do. If you cut your hand or finger, use a clean cloth to apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding. Go to the emergency hospital if the bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 minutes or if you begin to feel numb. The same is true if you fall and have persistent dizziness or nausea.

Spending time in nature and gardening have been shown to have therapeutic effects, but in order to continue reaping their benefits, you must maintain your safety. Your days spent gardening will be filled with sheer joy and fun if you keep these safety recommendations in mind.