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Year in and year out, thousands of homeowners and renters go to the ER due to home improvement accidents.
Now, with most people switching to tackling do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects to save some money, home safety needs to be an integral part of these home renovation plans.
It does not matter if you are just an amateur or a veteran in this DIY field, you need to be taking these safety precautions before you go climbing up that ladder or switching on that power tool.
Become a Successful Minimalist in DIY Home Projects with These Simple DIY Safety Tips
If you are a do-it-yourselfer, here are five DIY safety tips which you should always follow:
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Ensure Proper Use of Power Tools
When handling power tools, you need to give them your undivided attention. Therefore, never leave a power tool unattended when it is ‘ON.’ And when you decide to call it a day, make sure you unplug all power tools and keep them out of reach of your kids.
Also, take proper care of your tools. You should never carry them by their cords or yank a cable out of the electrical receptacle, and if you want to unplug it, always grab the plug instead of the wire.
Last but not least, make sure you keep all electrical cords safely away from sharp edges, oil, and heat.
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Dress for Safety and Avoid Loose Fitting Clothes
You are not on the Met Gala red carpet or Victoria Secret’s runway platform, so you should be practical and sensible concerning your attire.
Refrain from putting on any jewelry or loose-fitting, free-flowing sleeves since they have a high chance of getting caught in equipment. Instead, get a 100% safety tested attire and OSHA-recommended work boots since your feet also need protection.
Think about the type of DIY projects that you will be taking on and make a decision about work boots accordingly. As many projects are long term, you will be wanting comfortable work boots, either with a steel toe or composite toe.
You also need to put on some safety goggles because when you are busy shaving some metals or even painting a wall, you can be at high risk of significant eye damage. You should also wear earplugs to decrease any injuries to your ears when working with loud power equipment.
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Beware of the Surroundings
Ensure that you keep a keen eye on your surroundings, primarily when working with others to prevent any unforeseen injuries or accidents.
Pay attention to whoever enters the workspace area and other nearby power tools or sharp edges. Also, make sure children are out of the house. You can probably ask your partner to pop them in their stroller and go for a walk.
Read Also:
- DIY vs. Professionals: Which Projects to Take On and Which to Delegate
- DIY Organization Ideas for Small Spaces, Storage Organizing Solutions
- Having the Right Workwear for Home Improvement Projects
- 10 Budget Friendly Ways to Update Your Home This Year
- DIY Home Makeover, Cutting Costs Not Quality
- Tips on Securing Home Improvement Budgets
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Practice Ladder Safety
When using a ladder, ensure that for every four feet of ladder height, the bottom of the ladder is one foot away from the wall or the object it is leaning against. You also need to remember to carefully read the instructions and warning labels before using a ladder.
Moreover, these directions will assist you in identifying the proper ladder for the job and describe ladder weight and height limits.
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Keep a Reliable First Aid Kit at Hand
If you are one of the smart DIYers, you know that having a first aid kit close to you when working on your projects is essential. You need to anticipate for those scrapes, scratches, or bumps during your renovation projects. So, ALWAYS keep the kit within reach and fully stocked.
It can be gratifying to complete that challenging home improvement project. It is, however, essential to keep in mind that with tools come accidents. You need to protect yourself, avoid using your intuition, manuals are there for a reason, and keep kids away while working on a project. We want you to stay safe and stay out of the ER.
