March 16th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

If you're like me, you can't wait until spring arrives so that you can get back out into the garden, but you may have noticed that during the winter months, your hedges have become unruly and need a good trim. Understandably people can be a little put off by this, using hedge trimmers can be intimidating especially if they are not something you are familiar with that's why I've come up with this list of top 5 tips to help keep yourself safe while maintaining your yard's foliage and help to keep your mind at ease.

Read the manufacturer's instructions.

The first thing you should do, and it may seem like an obvious one but you would be surprised how many people skip this step, is to read the manufacturer's instructions. The manual should be included in the box with your hedge trimmer, or at least on a sticker on the side of it. If you can't find either of these things, check for an online version of your manual from their website or contact customer service for help finding it.

Once you've read through all of this information, you'll know how much voltage your device needs (and if there are any safety precautions), how long it takes to charge up again after use and what type of fuel should be used if applicable, it will also help you to familiarise yourself with any safety features --the list goes on!

Wear safety goggles, work gloves and protective clothing.

Wear protective clothing is another step that can be easily overlooked, after all, chances are you rarely wear protective clothing while mowing your lawn and other garden work however protective workwear is essential when using a hedge trimmer, as it can reduce the risk of injury and provide you with additional protection against sharp blades and any debris.

Make sure to wear protective safety equipment such as goggles since there will often be quite a lot of debris and no one wants to use sharp blades with their eyes closed! long sleeves and pants to help keep you safe from injuries caused by flying debris or falling branches, also ensure to wear closed-toe non-slip shoes.

Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery when operating a hedge trimmer.

When you're operating a hedge trimmer, it's important to wear clothing that won't get caught in the blades. Loose sleeves, pants and jackets can easily get caught in the moving parts of your hedge trimmer. If you wear jewellery while using your hedge trimmer, ensure it isn't something that could get stuck on or near any moving machinery parts.

Protect your ears with earmuffs or earplugs when using a hedge trimmer.

You should always wear ear protection when using any power tool, but especially a hedge trimmer. The loud noise of a hedge trimmer can cause hearing loss if you don't protect your ears, all this isn't as much of a concern with some new electric hedge trimmers it is always better to be over-cautious than take any risks with your own well-being!

Earplugs are the most common type of hearing protection as they are often cheaper and more comfortable. They're usually made from foam or rubber shaped like a cylinder and inserted into your ears to block sound waves. Earplugs come in different sizes so they can fit comfortably in any sized ear canal--make sure you find some that fit comfortably in your ear since if they don't fit right, they won't do their job properly! You can also find custom-moulded earplugs that fit perfectly into your specific ear shape so there aren't any gaps between them and the wall of your outer ear canal; these tend to be more expensive than regular ones but provide better protection against high decibel levels (upwards from 90 dB).

Earmuffs are another option for keeping out loud noises while working with power tools like hedge trimmers; these sit over both ears completely covering all parts except for openings where air flows freely through in order to reduce discomfort and to stop sweat from gathering and causing further discomfort.

Keep your work area clear.

Another obvious but often overlooked step is to ensure your work area is clear. Remove any furniture, garden tools or decoration that may get in the way and pose a tripping hazard. It will also save time if you don't have to constantly stop to ensure your area is clear once you have started. Be sure to keep children and pets away from the area where you'll be working. Children can get hurt if they are near a hedge trimmer, so it's best to have them stay inside during this time. Pets also shouldn't be allowed near your hedge trimmer as well because they could become injured by its spinning blades, both can also be distracting and this poses risks in itself.

Other things to keep in mind

A couple of other things to keep in mind is to take frequent breaks if you get too tired then it can become difficult to fully support your hedge trimmer, which of course poses some serious risks. When choosing your hedge trimmer don't forget to take comfort into account, just because a hedge trimmer is expensive and packed with lots of features doesn't necessarily mean it is suitable for you, prioritise features that will benefit you. For example, lighter units are better for people who are not confident in their ability to control large power tools, or for those that are not confident about using a hedge trimmer finding a unit that comes with automatic shut-off may provide more peace of mind.

We hope these tips will help you keep safe and enjoy your next hedge-trimming experience. Remember, the most important thing is that you should always read the manufacturer's instructions before operating any power tool. If you follow these tips and use common sense when using your hedge trimmer, then there is no reason why anyone should be injured while doing yard work!

MYLEK 4orce Lithium-ION Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Price: £89.99

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