- In 2024/25, hospital admissions included 515 lawnmower injuries, 2,421 incidents involving non‑powered hand tools, and 5,784 injuries from powered hand tools and household machinery.
- In 2024/25 there were 21,234 admissions in England caused by contact with animals or plants, reflecting a 23% increase over the past decade.
- RoSPA has launched a garden safety checklist to help prevent injuries
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging households to carry out basic garden safety checks ahead of the bank holiday weekend, as people prepare to spend more time outdoors.
The warning comes amid recurring injuries linked to falls, garden tools, barbecues and unsecured ponds during spring and summer peaks across the UK.
RoSPA is advising people to inspect gardens before the weekend, focusing on trip hazards, safe use of equipment, and proper supervision of children around ponds, barbecues and firepits. The safety charity says many serious accidents are preventable with simple precautions.
Each year, emergency departments see a rise in avoidable injuries during periods of good weather, with uneven paths, ladders, barbecues and garden tools among the most common causes. Children are particularly at risk around ponds, paddling pools and play equipment left unchecked between seasons.
Ahead of the long weekend, RoSPA has published an updated garden safety checklist, encouraging households to:
- buy garden products from reputable retailers,
- remove debris and other trip hazards
- store tools and equipment securely,
- position ladders correctly
- supervise children at all times near water
The guidance also reminds families to fence or cover water features and to securely store hazardous substances out of children’s reach.
Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at RoSPA, said: “Gardens should be places for relaxation, but they can quickly become dangerous if basic safety checks are overlooked.
“Warmer weather often creates a false sense of security. We see the same patterns every year: falls from ladders, burns from barbecues, and children accessing water or tools unsupervised.
“These incidents are not inevitable, and a few simple steps before the weekend can make a real difference in preventing serious injuries and keeping families safe.
“It’s also important to resist the temptation to buy a ‘bargain’ online , as items purchased from overseas suppliers may not meet UK safety standards, particularly for garden tools, equipment and chargers.”
For more information, visit the newly launched RoSPA Garden Safety webpage here: RoSPA- Garden safety
