Safety is one of the key benefits to having a proper storage system for your gardening equipment and supplies. Without a system, it’s not uncommon to find tools big and small lying around, presenting a hazard.
A garage outfitted with slatwall and professional hooks allows you to hang more than one tool on each hook and know that when you pull one tool off, the hook and the other tools will stay put. For homeowners who have small children or animals, proper storage of sharp gardening equipment and poisonous chemicals is especially important. You can bang a nail into a wall but tools are not very secure.
Different tools require different storage solutions. I find that garden tools fall into three categories:
The first is long-handled tools like rakes and shovels. You can lean them against a wall but they fall over each other and present a serious safety hazard if stepped on.
Putting these tools on hooks and pointing anything sharp towards the wall makes it much safer for anyone entering the garage. Plus, once you give it a spot, you tend to put it back in that home. If it doesn’t have a spot, people are apt to put it anywhere there’s a space. Another thing to consider is the height of the hook; tools should be hung at eye level and not overhead.
Second is smaller hand tools like shears, claws, trowels, etc. Tools that are used for digging often have sharp edges and present a danger if they’re not stored properly. To keep them out of curious hands, they can be stored on hooks or in baskets that are six feet off the ground.
The third category is electrical tools such as hedge trimmers and leaf blowers. When both the equipment and their extension cords are left on the floor, they present a tripping hazard. When they’re hung on a hook, they don’t have a chance of being wrapped around someone’s ankle.
Supplies, fertilizers, items for pest control and plant food can also be dangerous if they’re not stored properly. Lockable cabinets are one solution for keeping them safe, but baskets and shelves are also an option as long as they can be installed out of reach.
Having a garage that’s properly organized will result in peace of mind because you know that everything is safety stored.
