Homes & Gardens' outdoor-cleaning guide identifies skipped safety preparation as a common mistake. Ladders, chemicals and powered tools can introduce risks even when the surface being cleaned appears familiar and the intended task seems brief.

Prepare Outdoor Cleaning Equipment Before Starting

Read equipment and product directions, check footing and keep other people clear of the working area. Choose a method suitable for the material and surrounding plants, and arrange professional help where access is unsafe. Spending a few minutes on preparation is more useful than discovering a tool's limits while it is already operating.

Stable access and suitable protective gear belong in the task plan from the beginning.