On average, two people die every week in Northern Ireland because of an accident in the home, and in the drier and hotter weather, and as we approach the summer holidays, people will be spending more time outdoors and in their garden. For those with children, it’s important to make sure all play equipment is on a soft flat surface and if you have a trampoline, make sure that it has a safety net and it is only used by one child at a time under supervision.

A small child can drown in as little as five centimetres of water, so make sure that any garden ponds are fenced off or securely covered, and children are supervised when playing in and around paddling pools and children under five should not go in to a hot tub. Make sure that children aren’t left alone around flames, including barbecues, and keep all poisonous garden products, like weed killer, out of their reach and locked away. General garden maintenance like tidying away hosepipes and tools, and fixing loose and uneven paths, can help protect you and your family when enjoying time in the garden.

For more information please see links below:

www.pha.site/GardenSafety

www.nidirect.gov.uk/GardenSafety