Safety first

25 safety tips before you start your DIY projects

Home projects are exciting, but also dangerous if safety does not come first. Hospital admissions from domestic accidents are numerous. Top of the list are cuts from knives and other hand tools, together with ladder falls. These are closely followed by eye injuries from paint drips and debris from power tools. Safety precautions are not recommendations, but absolute musts while doing your DIY project.

 

1. Read the instruction

This tip might be simple, but it is worth taking the extra few minutes to get acquainted with the manuals and instructions. Always take the time to read the safety instructions of the materials and tools you are using before starting your DIY.

2. Prepare a First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. Store your kit in an easy-to-get place and out of the reach of young children.

Check your first-aid kit regularly to replace supplies that have expired or been used up. 

3. Wear the right clothing

Whatever project you are undertaking, you should wear the correct safety gear as a matter of routine. The right clothing for a given situation is almost as important as the tools you are using.

4. Ladder safety

Ladders are basic DIY tools, essential to so many projects and tasks. From hanging a mirror to painting your place. You do not have to tumble far to get hurt: most fatal falls are from a height of three meters or less. So, before you decide to start your DIY work, consider the following DIY Ladder Safety Tips. 1. carry out pre-checks, 2. always keep three points of contact, 3. never overreach, 4. never use aluminum ladders near electricity and 4. do not use a ladder on uneven, soft or sloping ground.

5. Eye protection

Although it might seem silly to wear protective goggles at all times, it is imperative to wear proper eye protection during all DIY projects. Even easy projects can be more complex and dangerous than they appear. It only takes a split second to do irreparable damage to your eyes.

6. Hearing protection

Noise-induced hearing damage is a common problem in the construction sector, but also at home you risk hearing loss when you fail to take measures doing your DIY projects. It is important to know that most of the time you fail to notice the damage straight away. Only when you start to notice the damage, it has become irreversible. Use earplugs specially made for your DIY jobs.

7. Wear safety shoes 

Safety footwear can help protect your feet against burns, cuts, punctures and impact. They can also prevent slips and falls, which can lead to more serious problems such as broken bones and head injuries.

8. Protect yourself against sun exposure

As sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, you should protect yourself when working outdoors.

1. Cover up. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants
2. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 (SPF)
3. Always wear a hat or cap
4. Use UV-absorbent sunglasses to protect your eyes.

 

9. Drink, drink and drink

Sweat evaporates off our skin which allows for heat loss and cooling. However, when you sweat, you also lose water and electrolytes, more commonly known as “salts”. Drinking enough water and having enough electrolytes is absolutely necessary for your body to function properly.

10.  Prevent dust on the job

It is important to prevent dust from traveling from where the work is being done to other rooms in the house. A loose curtain of plastic hung over a doorway with a few strips of tape will definitely not to the job. Instead, it is wise to completely seal the top and sides with tape and lay a board over the plastic at the bottom.

11.  Check the status of your tools

Injuries often take place when someone fails to use the tools as intended or forgets to them inspect before using. Never use handheld tools that are rusted, cracked, warped, splintered, loose, damaged or broken! Under no circumstances you should attempt to operate electrical equipment that looks run-down or seems to have been shoddily repaired.

12.  Store tools safely

Store your tools in a safe place, out of the reach of children. Keep them in a box or secured on a rack. 

13.  Safety helmet to be sure

Safety helmets are not only designed to provide protection from head injuries caused by falling objects. They also provide protection against injuries from bumping into fixed objects.

14.  Respect the knife

Make it a habit always to cut away from you when using a knife. Smartly use a baton as a guide and run a sharp knife along the edge of it. Do not forget to always store your knives securely.

15.  Power down

Always switch off the power and remove the fuse, when checking or fixing electrical appliances and connections. As an extra precaution, be sure to wear rubber-soled shoes when working on electrics.

16.  Fire safety

Keep a chemical fire extinguisher in the house and put it in a place where you can rapidly fetch it when needed. Never use water to put out a fire in an electrical appliance.

17.  Safe drilling

Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry, which could get caught in the drill. Unplug the drill before fitting parts and remove the chuck key before switching it on. Always use an electric drill model that has a plastic non-conducting body.

18.  Know your limits

If you have physical challenges of balance, strength, vision or any other personal factor that might impair your ability to perform some part of the DIY-project, it might be a good idea to ask someone to help you. Invite a friend or neighbor or hire a professional.

19.  Inspect electrical tools and equipment

When using electrical tools and equipment, you have to make sure that your tools are clean and well-maintained. The best practice is to always inspect your tools before using them. The manual provides important suggestions when it comes to using your tools in the proper environment. Most electrical tools are known to cut and burn body parts when misused. Hence, when using power tools, it is best to know the hazards before starting the job.

20.  Use knee pads

Wearing knee pads does not just make you more comfortable as you install tiles, pipes or wiring, they also protect your knees in the long term. Even for an occasional DIY project around the house, you owe it to your knees to keep them padded, supported, comfortable, and safe.

21.  Use safety gloves 

Your hands need protection from burns, bruises, abrasions, cuts and exposure to chemicals at all times. All this can be avoided by wearing the proper safety gloves when doing your DIY-job. The specialists in our store will gladly inform you on the correct safety gloves for your home improvement project.

22.  Respirator or dust mask?

Although dust masks and respirators may look the same, there is a significant difference. Respirators are designed to block 95 percent of small particles. Always look for “N95” on the label and be sure the respirator fits properly.

23.  Be aware of your surroundings

Make sure you are aware of your surroundings, especially when working with others in order to prevent any unforeseen injuries. Be mindful of nearby power tools or sharp edges. Always keep children and pets out of the work zone.

24.  Keep it tidy

Clear up the area around the space you are going to be working in, before your start your project. Keep everything organized at all times. Not only your tools and materials, but anything that could get loose. 

25.  Do not rush

Take it easy! You are more likely to have an accident when you are in a rush. Carefully plan the job before you start working. Ask someone to help you to get the job done. And always consult a professional if you are unsure.

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