Still water that is not regularly cleaned can develop blue-green algae which is highly toxic to dogs and can easily result in death if it is ingested. 3. Extended sun exposure Also avoid doing chores, like raking, that require a repetitive motion for extended periods of time to cut down on aches in the arms and back. Prolonged and repetitive motions, such as digging, raking, trimming, pruning and planting, might irritate your skin, tendons or nerves. It may come as a surprise that just under 100,000 people land up in hospital every year due to gardening hazards. Accidental cuts and scrapes Harsh chemicals If there are items of concern trim back whatever is on your side or have a chat with your neighbour, perhaps they will be understanding enough to plant something different on your joint border. July 21, 2020 January 14, 2019 by Your Dog Advisor Staff. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the gardening task and weather conditions, including items such as a hat with brim, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, sunglasses, closed-toed shoes, and sunscreen. "Some chemicals commonly used on lawns and gardens have been associated with birth defects, mutations, adverse reproductive effects, and cancer in laboratory animals," the EHHI reports. A garden is a great space for extra enrichment, not to replace a walk though, and can be perfect for a spot of sunbathing! Where relevant and helpful to the reader, we may link to products. Dust: All organic materials - mulches, potting mixes and manures, contain dust which is a general irritant. Avoid using slug and snail pellets which are toxic to dogs and choose a more natural alternative to rid your garden of these pests. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a newbie, it’s important to avoid these health and safety hazards when gardening: Back problems. The Web's No.1 Resource For Purchasing Cartoon Motivators, When gardening during the day, take regular breaks in the shade and drinking plenty of water. Plants like lavender, mint and rosemary can be useful natural repellents for slugs and snails. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. A good routine of stretching exercises before you begin will help to get your muscles ready and prevent serious injury. Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion. We would always recommend removing these from your garden if they are already in place, taking care to remove all parts including the bulbs. garden without the use of chemicals. Be on the lookout for harmful plants, pesticides, and bugs. Why trust us? This flower contains cardiac glycosides which are also used in many human heart medications. 7. Some people choose to put a dig-proof layer of chicken wire or concrete under the fence. Even small dogs can jump surprisingly high and they can often have a hidden talent for scaling too. Lyme disease is the most well-known of the diseases that an infected tick passes on (they can carry at least 11 different infections), and it causes fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms, when ingested, can include vomiting (often with the presence of blood), runny stools, liver failure and death. Do not use these types of products in your garden unless you have a full-proof solution to ensure that your dog will not have access. Choose a safe, organic alternative as a soil topper instead. Make sure that the garden is fully enclosed and secure, If you have a gate make sure it has a good latch, Keep all sharp tools and chemical substances out of your pups reach, Common Garden Plants that are toxic to dogs, Tight lids on the bins, especially the compost bins, Steer clear of slug and snail pellet and watch out for rodent bait, What to do if you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic, Consider a safe sensory garden for your dog, this guide compiled by the Charity Dogs Trust, Best Dog Leash – 9 Common Dog Leash Options to Consider, The Best Dog Car Seat To Keep your Dog Safe On The Road, The Coolest (And Safest) Motorcycle Pet Carrier For Those Who Ride, The Japanese Chin – Your Ultimate Breed Information Guide. Search all fact sheets: Search. Overexerting yourself If you do have a dog water bowl outside it is really important to make sure it is thoroughly cleaned daily. Use eye protection when the garden hand tool produces flying, crumbling, chipping, sparking, or splintering debris. Ornamental grasses are also something to consider. Keep your garden Autumn Crocus free, if ingested by your dog it can be fatal. Regularly check your fencing for any damage, if there are any hidden holes or breakages your dog is likely to be an expert at finding this and could end up escaping without you even realising. Also be aware of what your neighbours may be using. 4. Use the checklists in this newsletter to inspect your workplace. This is obviously a by-product resulting from when chocolate is being made. Broken fencing can also result in injury from splinters, hanging nails or wire. Leptospirosis (Weils' disease) from contaminated water. Stoves present a significant danger for a variety of reasons. 8. People with an existing chest conditions such as asthma or bronchitis or those prone to allergies are most at risk. Don’t forget to also consider your neighbours garden. To quickly replenish your body's electrolytes, grab a sports drink or water with added salt. Others set up little herb gardens and grow products that are safe and often have healing benefits should your dog choose to have a nibble. I did have a berry bush in one of my previous gardens and the dogs generally knew to avoid it but one day Daisy got a nasty scrape on her eyelid because she tried to chase a cat out of the garden and in her heightened state of arousal she plunged into the thorny bush. If ingested by your dog it can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, heart rhythm issues and even seizures. Don’t leave dangerous tools lying about in the garden for your dog to injure themselves on. Make sure they are securely closed or moved out of the reach of your dog to avoid any incidents. Health and safety cartoon, garden safety hazards, guy mowing lawn, about to cut cable, music too loud so he can't hear anything around him, broken paving slabs, uneven paving slabs, upturned garden fork. If you have a prolific digger you may need to take further measures to secure your fencing. Tetanus: the tetanus bacterium can enter through cuts or wounds. Another thing to look out for is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which comes from straining the hands and wrists over and over. Here's a rundown of common gardening hazards, along with some tips to help you avoid them: Stretch before you start work. If used, chemicals such as weed killers to be used by an adult in accordance with an appropriate COSHH assessment/directions on the packaging. We would always recommend familiarising yourself with what is already in your garden and remove the items that could pose a risk and then make sure that whenever you are planting anything new that you check whether it is safe first. 3. Don’t touch someone else’s garden unless you have their permission. A lot of people may not realise that the mulch they buy for their garden could be highly toxic to their dog and the smell is often irresistible to them. There is nothing better than having a safe and secure backyard that you can let your dog enjoy. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates. Always wear thick, sturdy gloves. Some of these links are affiliate links where we may earn commissions on purchases. Wear sunscreen and a hat as a routine when you are outside in the garden. Sometimes symptoms may not appear for up to 48 hours but, by then, the damage may already be done. Tetanus bacteria can live in soil and enter your body through wounds on your hands. … Power tools like mowers, gas-powered string trimmers, chippers and shredders, rotary tillers, and chain saws all operate in the 80 to 105 decibel range. 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