Five Tips for Home Improvement Safety

Do-it-yourself home improvement projects can be a great way to cut labor costs while improving the value and usefulness of your home as well as potentially learning a new skill. These projects, however, often involve power tools, climbing ladders, or putting yourself in other potentially risky situations. Here are a few tips to keep you safe while you tend to and enhance your home.

1. “KEEP THY SHOP AND THY SHOP WILL KEEP THEEâ€

That old adage is from none other than Ben Franklin. More than a couple of hundred years ago, he published those words as a saying in his Poor Richard’s Almanac. The line may have reminded farmers and merchants back then to be more organized and thriftier, but it may have just as much impact for the modern homeowner. Keeping your tools and supplies squared away and in good running order will help you save money, but it can also keep you safe. When you are using power tools, it is a good idea to give them a close inspection before use. Look for frayed power cords or cracked or broken casings. If you find issues and cannot have them repaired by a qualified repairman, you should probably get rid of the device. Losing out on a couple of hundred dollars in tools is nothing compared with thousands of dollars in possible medical expenses! Never disable the guards on tools. They are there for a reason—to protect you. You may think you are being more efficient without them, but you are putting yourself or others who may pick up your tools at unnecessary risk. Always throw away damaged saw blades and do not leave unattended tools powered up or plugged in, especially where kids may have access to them. Maintain your power tools as recommended in the owner’s manuals, and you should have a longer-lasting, safer device to work with for years to come.

• 2. DO NOT CLIMB THAT LADDER RIGHT TO HEAVEN

Ladders are safe if used thoughtfully and as they are designed to be used. Remember, however, gravity is one of the primary movers and shakers of home improvement physics. Use the four to one rule—for every 4 feet of ladder height, the bottom of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the object on which it is leaning. Have a person hold the base as you climb, if possible. Pick a ladder that is a few feet taller than the elevation you need to get to, and do not climb to the top rungs of the ladder. Standing on the top rungs is unstable because of weight distribution and makes it pretty likely you will take a tumble. Beware of electrical lines nearby, especially if you are using a metal ladder.

• 3. NAILED IT!

Do not be a nail-gun nincompoop and become a victim of a nail gun accident. Nail guns are guns, so treat them with respect. Only use the full sequential actuation trigger (SAT) function. With the full SAT function, the gun will only release the nail when the trigger and touch-point safety at the tip of the tool are sequentially triggered. Although ways exist to get around this safety feature, you do so at your own risk. It becomes more likely you will nail yourself if you do an end-run around the built-in safety measures of the tool. Understand your gun and wear protective gear like boots, gloves, and eyewear to mitigate possible injury. Beware of ricochet-prone work areas. If you are unfortunate enough to be injured by a nail, get medical attention—nail injuries are likely to get infected.

• 4. SAFETY AND THE SAW

Use protective goggles. Make this precaution a disciplined habit before any use of a saw. It is reported that there are more eye injuries due to saw use than all other power tools and instruments combined. It is tempting to brush off the use of eyewear before using your saw because of the inconvenience, but the gift of sight is not something that can be replaced, and you will not be doing any future sawing without it. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing. If a garment gets caught on a blade it can pull you toward the saw before you can do anything about it. Again, know the guards and safeties on your tool and how to use them. Do not disengage them. They are there for a reason.

• 5. BE LIKE AL, NOT TIM

Follow instructions, not intuition. Many people have watched Tim “The Tool Man†Taylor on the Home Improvement television show and laughed at his instinct for “more power†and the predicaments in which he finds himself. How many of his trips to the hospital could have been avoided if he had been more like his careful and controlled assistant, Al? Following impulses and intuition is no substitute for following directions and educating yourself on the project at hand. Consider taking a class at a home improvement store or a community college. At minimum, read the instructions on the correct way to operate your tools and watch an informative training video on YouTube before you get your hands dirty. Never drink alcohol while you are working with power tools or putting yourself in risky situations. Save the celebration for after the job. It is always a good idea to keep a first aid kit on hand just in case. Everybody makes mistakes. Even a mild-mannered Al can look more like a Tim sometimes.

Successfully tackling a home improvement project can be an extremely rewarding experience that also leaves your wallet a little thicker at the end of the day. You are improving the place you live in with your own two hands, what is between your ears, and the necessary tools. One project can lead to another and another until, in a few years, you have the home of your dreams. Just remember to put safety first so you can make those dreams come true. Rome was not built in a day and neither was your house. A little extra time and care applied to your home improvement project will lead to a successful and safe outcome.