Garden Safety

As the British Summer creeps into sight home owners will be starting to cut the grass. Did you know that more than 300,000 people attend hospital each year due to an injury received in the garden (and we don't mean alcohol related).

Men are twice as more likely to have an injury as they are to top users of lawn mowers and hedge trimmers. Men are statistically less likely to read the instruction manual prior to use (ladies you don't fair too well in this category either).

The most common injury (electrocution) sustained is from cutting through the cable of a lawn mower or hedge trimmer.

Don't worry though there are a few things you can do to make doing the fortnightly chore (ok it's a chore for us). One of the safest and quickest things you can do is use a plug-in Residual Current Device (RCD). This device automatically disconnects the electricity circuit if there is fault. It operates in the same manner as when your bulb pops in a modern home and all the lights go out. You could look to have an outdoor socket installed which will connect to your fusebox. Modern home fuseboxes have RCD's built in however, if you don't have one you should use a plug-in RCD.

Top tips to help you stay safe

Use a Residual Current Device (RCD) with all outdoor electrical equipment. If you don't have one built into your fusebox, you should use a plug-in RCD
Switch off and unplug electrical items before cleaning, adjusting or checking them
Store equipment in a dry, safe place and check that it hasn't been damaged or affected by water before using it
Be aware of where the electrical power cable is at all times
Never use electrical equipment in wet conditions!