Safety in the Garden

Gardening is relaxing, enjoyable and a great form of exercise, but it does have some risks to be aware of. We'll share some tips, to keep you safe from common injury hazards, health risks and sources of stress.

Our first advice: think a job through before you start it. Be cautious and use your common sense, read instructions properly, use the right tool for the job and you'll stay safe in your little piece of paradise!

Common Sense Rules for Safe Gardening:

• Get into the routine of wearing sunscreen and a hat when you're outside in the garden. Having sun-damaged skin removed from your face isn't much fun!
• Wear gloves when handling anything thorny, rough or sharp.
• Always wear gloves when working with soil or potting mix.
• Wear a well-fitting disposable face mask that securely covers your nose and mouth, while handling soil products. This reduces the risk of coming in contact with Legionella longbeachae bacteria, which causes legionnaire's disease. Legionella can cause serious health issues (including pneumonia) if inhaled, and can be fatal for people with compromised immune systems.
• Avoid inhaling dust from bags of potting mix: open bags so they point away from your face.
• Keep soil or potting mix damp, to reduce airborne dust particles.
• Wash your hands well after handling potting mix, soil or compost.
• Wear boots or solid footwear, especially when digging, line-trimming or mowing.
• Check inside your boots before putting them on (this is more important in Australia, but even in NZ nobody likes to feel wriggling under their toes).
• Garden in suitable (old) clothes. Don't be tempted into the garden while you're dressed in your best!
• Keep cutting tools sharp and use them carefully.
• When lifting something heavy, bend your knees and crouch down, then lift it by straightening your legs. To avoid back injury, don't bend over to pick up heavy objects. Don't be shy about asking for help to lift and move anything heavy, bulky or awkward. Yes, Gentlemen, we're looking at you.
• Never eat anything in the garden unless you know it's safe.

Garden Etiquette for Neighbourly Harmony

We all know how stressful it can be when you aren't getting on with a neighbour, so here are some tips to ensure your relationships with neighbours have a positive impact on your health.

• Don’t touch someone else’s garden unless you have their permission. The 'no-touch' rule includes weeding, trimming and pruning, even if you mean to be helpful.
• Always ask before you take cuttings.
• Picking another gardener's flowers or fruit without asking is always a no-no.
• Be respectful of property boundaries; consider your neighbour's long-term sunlight when planting.
• Avoid noisy garden power tools in the early hours, or late in the evening.

Where to Get Help When Something Goes Wrong:

• In an Emergency, always call 111.
• The Poisons Information Centre phone number in New Zealand is 0800 764 766.
• The Yates website - each product page provides a link the Safety Data Sheet for the product; this contains in-depth information on hazards and handling.
• If you suspect a garden related health issue, see your GP/Doctor.