Garden Furniture Safety Guide

Before you next laze on a lounger or gather round the garden table, be aware of the potential dangers of your garden furniture. With a few simple precautionary measures you can ensure the safety of your family and friends when using your outdoor furniture. Please download our free Garden Furniture Safety Guide in PDF format.

The last thing you want over a nice sunny bank holiday weekend is for a loved one to suffer an accident or injury. So here at Dobbies.com we have compiled a list of garden furniture safety hazards and some advice on how to combat them.

Materials

Garden furniture is made from different materials and each of these come with benefits and risks.

Metal – Metal can become very hot if left out in the sunshine throughout the day. There have been cases of people needing hospital treatment for burns suffered from touching or sitting on hot metal. To prevent this cover your garden furniture and keep it in the shade when not in use.

Wood – Pine and other wooden garden furniture looks great but it’s important to be aware of any cracks or protruding pieces that could give you splinters. In the majority of cases it may only be a little nick or a scratch but some untreated splinters can become infected. Sand down any defects on your wooden garden furniture and remove any splinters to prevent accidents.

Plastic – If any plastic garden furniture is cracked or snapped it can become very sharp. It can slice through skin quite easily and so be vigilant and repair or replace your broken furniture.

Glass – The vast majority of glass tables are strengthened, but there is the possibility of it cracking or shattering which can be very dangerous. Keep a look out for any small cracks appearing before using and be careful when placing hot and heavy objects on a glass surface.

Stone – Stone can add a classic feel to a garden but is generally very heavy. Ensure that any stone garden furniture is secure and stable to use beforehand. Take great care when moving stone furniture, as with all heavy objects you should use a safe lifting technique to avoid back pain.

Assembly

A lot of new garden furniture is delivered unassembled, so it is your responsibility to ensure it’s assembled safely. Make sure that you follow all of the instructions carefully and ensure that all fixtures, screws and bolts are safely tightened.

If you have furniture that folds away, always take care to do it slowly and be careful not to leave fingers in the joints. Don’t erect or dismantle garden furniture under the influence of alcohol as mistakes can be made. Never let children fold the garden furniture away as they have smaller hands that can easily get trapped in the joints.

If garden furniture has been stored away for a good length of time check it before use. It may have developed cracks causing splinters and instability. Screws may have come loose so give each item a bit of a service before putting to use.

Location

Always pick a suitable location for your garden furniture. When using any item make sure that you place it on a flat, steady surface. This is most important when putting a table in position. Putting chairs next to stairs or ledges can be very dangerous and should be avoided. Never put garden furniture next to doors that can open onto them as accidents can and will happen. If needed secure your garden furniture with weights or pegs to avoid any mishaps.

Fire Safety

Fires can easily happen when relaxing outdoors. A loose cigarette, an ember from a burner or a barbecue could ruin a good day. Always leave space between a barbecue and your garden furniture and make sure that all cigarettes are extinguished in an appropriate places. Check on your upholstered cushions for labels regarding fire safety, some will be fire retardant but all should meet fire safety standards.

Weather

The weather can cause chaos when using garden furniture. Many pieces of furniture can be effected by the wind. Umbrellas can easily get blown away in a sudden gust so make sure that they are correctly weighed down or secured with ropes. This can also be a problem with tables, deck chairs and sun loungers, so make sure that they are secure when it’s breezy.

It is also worth noting that the sun can make surfaces too hot to touch and the rain can make garden furniture slippery. We have garden furniture to enjoy our weather, but remember weather can also be dangerous.

Children

It is always important to supervise children when they are using garden furniture. If they are too small to sit in a chair independently then let them sit on your knee. Don’t let them sit on tables or stand on chairs as this can easily cause accidents.

Remember that tables will generally be around they’re head height so always be vigilant when they are walking near tables. Never leave protruding screws or bolts as children are prone to crawling under furniture and could have a nasty cut or graze. Garden furniture is usually less stable than furniture in the home, so it is wise to be extra vigilant.

Second Hand Furniture

When purchasing second hand furniture ask if they have the instructions and safety guide that generally come with garden furniture. Always check each individual piece ensuring that they are in good working condition. Make sure there are no cracks and are not broken in any way, or if they can be easily repaired if so desired.

Remember to follow the guidelines that come included with garden furniture. Never use a piece of furniture for an activity or a use that they are not designed for such as standing on chairs or tables to get to things that are out of reach. Through preparation, regular maintenance and correct use of your garden furniture accidents can be avoided.