DERRY City and Strabane District Council’s Home Safety Team are asking citizens to heed the important safety advice in order to avoid accidents in the garden.
The ‘FLOWERS’ acronym highlights six key areas which are among the most common causes of garden accidents.
They are:
Fences – Secure all fences and close garden gates when children are playing outside.
Lighting barbecues – Keep lit barbecues in an open space and never leave children unsupervised near a barbecue. Make sure they are fully extinguished when finished. Take care when disposing of barbecues and coals and make sure they have cooled down before putting them in the bin.
Out of Reach – Keep chemicals and tools out of reach. Store them on a high shelf in a secure garden shed.
Water – Always make sure that garden ponds are securely covered and children are supervised while playing in a paddling pool. Be aware of items that can fill with rain water such as buckets, plant pots and sand pit lids.
Electrical Equipment – Lock all equipment such as power tools and lawnmowers in a shed or garage.
Remove Poisonous Plants and Berries – If you have poisonous trees in your garden, fence them off.
Soft Surfaces – Ensure all play equipment is placed on a soft surface such as grass or a mat. If you have a trampoline, ensure that it has a safety net and that it is used by only one child at a time. Remember trampolines should not be used by children under six years of age.
Council Mayor, Brian Tierney, said we all need to be more aware in our gardens as we approach the summer period.
“We have been lucky to have some fantastic weather in recent weeks, and more people are out in their gardens operating lawnmowers, barbecues and other equipment – and with kids enjoying themselves playing in paddling pools.
“It’s important that we all stay conscious of the dangers that these things can present by following the simple ‘FLOWERS’ advice to avoid unwanted and potentially harmful accidents.”
