
When it comes to home improvement DIY projects, it is easy to get wrapped up in what needs to be done and try to complete it as quickly as possible. Due to this, safety measures can be forgotten. However, completing tasks safely is essential as home improvement projects can use dangerous equipment and tools.
Safety can be a challenging aspect of DIY and home renovation, so it’s important to not overcomplicate it. Follow these simple home improvement safety tips for any DIY project to ensure you stay safe while handling equipment and tools. Complete your home quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, safely.
Dress accordingly
Before you start your home improvement DIY project, it is best to determine what you need for the job. This includes appropriate clothing and protective gear for the jobs you need to do. Invest in clothing and equipment that protects you from injuries to prevent accidents from the long-term use of tools or materials. For example, if you are welding metal or sawing wood, use protective gloves and safety glasses to prevent minuscule parts from getting into your eyes and hands and to prevent the possibility of being burnt. When using heavy and noisy machinery wearing earmuffs is essential to prevent your eardrums from bursting.
No matter what your project entails, an imperative piece of protective clothing to wear is a pair of work boots. These provide stable footing for every task and protect your feet against punctures and lacerations. Avoid wearing baggy clothes that can snag on machinery and tools and tie long hair back when doing DIY projects.
Think about lighting
When starting your home improvement project, think about lighting in the room you are working in. It is imperative that you can see clearly and properly while you’re doing a task to prevent accidents and damage. Brighten the space up with overhead lighting that you can switch on when needed. For intricate and complicated jobs, have task lighting too.
Have fire safety features
It is always a great idea to be prepared for any outcome during your DIY home improvement project. When using equipment and heavy machinery, it’s ideal to have fire safety tools on hand and readily available. Have a working fire extinguisher and store oily or solvent-coated rags properly using an airtight, metal-sealed container half-filled with water.
Be aware of your surroundings
Being aware of your surroundings allows you to identify risks that can occur and take action when needed. If you’re working with another person, make sure that you know where they are in the home at all times. Keep children and pets away from any areas you are improving to keep them safe.
As well as this, keep electrical wires and cables behind you and be careful around them to avoid knotting or fraying them.
Avoid using broken tools
Many professionals and DIY enthusiasts have taken a risk on a damaged or old tool, but this is a terrible idea as it’s very unsafe. Any tool with chipped blades, missing components, cracked handles, and frayed wires are all potential safety risks. If you have any tools that look old, damaged, and unreliable, avoid using them as it’s not worth taking the risk. Replace any broken tools before you even start a task and if you are on a budget, reach out to loved ones or other DIY enthusiasts to borrow a good working condition tool.
Get clued up on ladder safety
Ladders are very dangerous and are one of the main reasons DIY accidents occur. When using ladders, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to safely and correctly stabilize them. If you can, have another person holding the ladder steady at the bottom whilst you work. Ensure the foot of the ladder is on a solid and clean surface whenever you can as well. If you don’t have anyone to hold the ladder for you, try tying the bottom of the ladder to something at the base of the wall, preventing the bottom from slipping outwards.
It is vital that you never lean on a ladder. It is better to move the ladder a few feet each time than to lean as you can lose balance and topple the ladder.
Keep your balance
Whatever job you are doing, whether you’re on a ladder, operating a table saw, or cutting lumber with a circular saw, you need to keep your balance and tread with care. Make sure to avoid trying to balance on items under your feet and make an effort to not step over any boards, paint buckets, or tools while carrying out a task. Always keep two feet firmly on the ground or a ladder, apart from when it is essential to move.
Use the right tool for the job
As you are improving your home by yourself, it can be easy to use the few tools you have for every job, avoiding purchasing the correct tool. This is because there’s pressure to complete your home renovation for a certain time and there’s a misconception that most tools can be used for various jobs to get it finished. However, doing this leads to using tools improperly which is another main cause of injuries.
To avoid accidents, you need to always use a tool for its intended purpose. This includes small tasks such as opening paint cans with a paint can opener, cutting materials with the correct blade, hitting objects with a hammer instead of a power drill, and using the correct drill bits for the drill and application. Using a tool that’s designed for specific tasks will lessen the probability of an accident, so it’s ideal to invest in what you need.
Take a break when tired
DIY home improvement projects can be very exhausting as there are a lot of tasks to do. Even professionals can do movements and use muscles they don’t tend to use, taking a toll on their bodies. Throughout the day, anyone can be worn down and feel wiped out. If you continue when you are tired, it can cause injuries because of strain or poor decision-making. It’s okay to take a break when you are exhausted and drink plenty of water when you are working. Keep nourished with food and have multiple breaks, not just one.
Use these home improvement safety tips for any DIY project to keep safe and protected from risks of injuries and accidents. Make sure to plan ahead by evaluating what equipment, tools, and protective gear you need for the jobs you have to do, helping you to be fully prepared while reducing dangers. Remember to only handle what you can do. Don’t attempt to do a task that’s beyond your limits and hire a professional to do it for you.