YARD SAFETY
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MAKING PATHS AND PATIOS SAFE
• Uneven or broken pavement can cause people to trip and fall. Mend
or replace cracked pavement as soon as possible.
• Icy steps are dangerous. Lay self-adhesive strips of abrasive material on step treads.
• Alternatively, coat the treads with a mix of sharp sand and exteriorgrade PVA adhesive.
Use a wire brush to remove slippery algae
• During the winter, watch for a buildup of algae slime, which can make surfaces extremely slippery. Clean algae-coated walkways with a stiff brush and soapy water, or use a highpressure washer.
• Prevent algae from building up again by treating the surface with a herbicide.
SECURING BOUNDARIES
• Make sure that boundary gates are kept locked and that bolts are well
out of the reach of young children.
• If a gate leads onto a road, secure a latch that a young child cannot
operate. Alternatively, fit a small bolt out of sight on the outside of the gate.
• If you have dogs or young children who use the yard, block off any gaps
in hedges or fences through which they could escape.
• Remember that as dogs and children get bigger, fences may need to be
raised or strengthened.
MAKING GARAGES AND SHEDS SAFE
• Always keep garages, workshops, and sheds securely locked.
• Store hoes, rakes, shovels, electrical equipment, and sharp tools, such as
saws and knives, well out of the reach of children.
• Label all dangerous materials and ensure that container lids or caps
are firmly closed.
• Store garden chemicals, such as pesticides and fungicides, out of
the reach of children. Never pour expired chemicals down sinks or drains; dispose of them safely.
• Keep chemicals in their original containers. Never store them in
other bottles.
• Never install fluorescent lighting near moving machinery, because it
produces a faint strobe effect that can confuse the senses, making the use of such machinery dangerous.
DO’ S AND DON’ TS
DO
• Use a garage ramp when you are working beneath a car.
• Wear a dust mask and goggles to protect yourself from dust when sanding.
• Store garden chemicals and tools safely out of the reach of children.
DON’ T
• Run a car engine in an enclosed space.
• Leave a hot tool on a work bench to cool down. Hang it up somewhere out of reach until it is cool.
• Leave unattended power tools plugged in or switched on.