Recent research commissioned by SP Energy Networks has revealed almost three-quarters (71%) of UK gardeners have suffered an injury while gardening with a third (36%) severe enough to require medical attention.

To tackle this head on, This Morning gardening presenter and green-thumbed guru Daisy Payne has formed an alliance with the network provider to share her safety tips to keep people safe while gardening at home.

One in five (21%) gardeners admit they’ve never carried out safety checks to avoid electrical power lines whether overhead or underground. And less than a third of gardeners (30%) remember to carry ladders and other long objects at a low level and horizontally when passing under overhead lines.

Gardening expert Daisy has worked with SP Energy Networks to develop a series of safety videos that are targeted toward reducing electrical incidents when working in the garden, which can be viewed here.

Daisy’s safety tips raise awareness for gardeners to watch out for potential hazards.

Daisy Payne said: “When it comes to gardening, danger lurks beneath the surface, so it is really important that you scan for electrical hazards before you dig and hopefully my top tips in partnership with SP Energy Networks will help make this process easier!

“I have always had a passion for gardening but experience has opened my eyes to the potential risks, which is why I couldn’t be more delighted to be working in collaboration with SP Energy Networks to share these essential safety tips to keep gardeners safe in an environment that we are all comfortable with.”

Daisy’s top tips are:

• Before carrying out any DIY in your garden, request free network plans and safety advice that SP Energy Networks or your distribution network operator can provide. SP Energy Networks also work in conjunction with online utility map service provider LinesearchBeforeUdig (LSBUD) to provide access to their utility information www.lsbud.co.uk/
• Use cable locators before carrying out any work. Check network plans by tracing cables and marking their position and always scan the area you intend to excavate before you start to dig.
• Always assume powerlines are live – even if they have fallen to the ground, broken or aren’t sparking.
• Select your machinery and equipment in relation to safe working distances and ensure it can’t come into contact with overhead power lines.
• Carry long objects at a low level and horizontally when passing under overhead cables. Please be vigilant when using extendable poles near overhead cables.
• You can call SP Energy Networks or your local network operator on 105 in an electrical network emergency. If anyone is injured, please call 999 for medical attention.

Derek Bell, Health and Safety Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “Every year avoidable incidents and near misses take place when people undertake work in their garden without assessing the risks and being aware of the electricity network around them. So we’re on a mission to help people stay safe when undertaking gardening and DIY tasks.

“It’s our priority to help people stay safe when undertaking gardening and DIY tasks which is why we have partnered with expert gardener, Daisy Payne, to share important safety tips to ensure you can carry out projects as safely as possible”.

For further information and details on SP Energy Networks gardening safety advice, please visit spenergynetworks.co.uk.