BOB FLOWERDEW
Beware! The harvest can be a dangerous time...
NOW as you well may have guessed I’m not heavily into Health & Safety, but having said that I really would rather you didn’t hurt yourself.
And one of the most common items involved in garden accidents time and time again is the stepladder.
I reckon it’s during picking when most of these falls occur. You see the other time we’re up trees is when pruning and then we often have one hand left free to get a grip.
When we’re harvesting we tend to pick with both hands so have no hold when a wobble takes place – then whoops, it’s off to A&E.
And don’t imagine you’re safe when using a low set of steps: these topple over just the same and are quite high enough for a serious fall and injury. So here are my simple rules: ■ Avoid using steps on your own – though if you really must make sure you have your mobile phone on you!
■ Never go up wobbling steps, the wobble will worsen so reset the feet. A couple of bits of flat wood should enable you to make the feet stand firm and then the steps will be really solid.
“Never go up wobbling steps – reset the feet”
■ Never go up tall steps without someone standing on the bottom rung – weight at the bottom alters the whole balance of the steps making them much less likely to topple when you’re up high.
■ Don’t go leaving something nasty underneath that you could fall down on – move that wheelbarrow, bicycle or pointy stick!
■ Never stretch out sideways to get that tempting distant fruit. Stop, get down and move the steps closer.
Finally, have something to pick the fruits into so you can gather with one hand while holding on with the other. Best is a cloth bag hanging round your waist, but a padded bucket or tray hung from the steps will do. Safe picking!