How to Keep Safe During Your DIY Project
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Many people these days are choosing to get their hands dirty and do their own DIY projects at home. This can be a great way to save money while still getting those home improvements that you’ve always wanted. But remember, there can be many hazards when working with power tools and chemicals in the home so take a look at this how-to guide to DIY safety so you don’t end up with a nasty injury alongside your new kitchen.
Instructions
First of all – always read the instructions! It may surprise you to learn but this is one of the most overlooked safety tips when it comes to DIY. Typically a great number of people wade straight in without so much as a glance at the instructions and this is a serious problem. Always read over the instructions for anything you plan to build or fix and make sure you understand them correctly. Make sure you have the right tools required for the job and, if it says you need two people or more, go and ring your friends. The last thing you want is to have an accident when you’re on your own.
Precautions
The best way to not have an accident or injury when doing DIY is to prevent the accident in the first place. Ensure that you have the proper safety equipment and clothing before you begin. Eye protection should be worn at all times and specialist gloves are a must-have. If you need it, also make sure you get a pair of ear protectors – especially if you are using jack-hammers or loud equipment for long periods of time. Ensure that your work area is clear of any trip hazards and make sure you keep children and pets safely out of the way while you work.
Electrics
This is a serious point so remember to check, check and double check before you go anywhere near electrics. Remember, this can get you killed if you don’t respect it so no fooling around. Make sure you know exactly where your cables are before you do any drilling by using a detector and turn it off at the fuse box as well just to be safe. Of course, the safest thing to do is get a certified professional in to do any electrical work in your home – you can still do the DIY part but it’s not worth risking your safety.
Chemicals
As with the first rule of safety listed above, the important thing to remember when working with chemicals is always read the instructions before you begin. Each chemical will have different instructions on how to use is correctly and just because you’ve used something similar in the past does not mean this will be the same. If your instructions tell you to only use it in a well-ventilated area then that’s precisely what you should do.
Lighting
As much as we hope that our DIY projects will only last a few hours, they have a tendency to over-run. Working in poor light or at night makes the risk of having an accident rise dramatically. If you are working in the dark, make sure you get sufficient lighting to be able to see what you’re doing. This goes for working outdoors too. If you need to, you can get generators for rent that will allow you to illuminate your garden or workshop at night, allowing you to work in safety.
