My Top 8 Tips To Help You Be A Safer DIYer
Monday, March 07, 2016
It's no secret that many of us like to do the odd DIY job in our
homes. It might be something as simple as painting the living room a new colour.
Or it could be something ambitious like crafting a built-in bedroom wardrobe.
DIY is a hobby that many of us take seriously. We will often
spend thousands on the right tools
for each job. Plus, we'll usually have an array of items like fixings and
sealants for any repair work we need to do.
The thing is some of us end up hurting ourselves when carrying
out some DIY work at home. If you want to be a safer DIYer, you need to follow
my top eight safety tips:
1. Point knives away from you
It doesn't matter whether you're using a parcel knife or a small
craft knife. What does matter is you know how to use it the right way! Reduce
the risk of injury by pointing the blade away from you.
2. Use the right ladder for the job
Keen DIYers will no doubt have all kinds of different sized ladders at their disposal.
The key is to know which one to use for any given project. You need to ensure
the ladder you use is safe and supportive.
3. Wear hand, eye and ear protection
For all DIY projects, I recommend wearing protective gloves. If
you're drilling or cutting stuff, you should wear ear defenders and safety
glasses. Don't do any of that work without protection!
4. Don't disturb anything with asbestos
You don't need me to tell you about the health risks associated
with asbestos exposure. If you home is more than 20 years old, it's likely it
will contain asbestos. That's because asbestos was used in common building products. If in doubt,
call an expert to test the material you wish to remove.
5. Make sure your work area has plenty of ventilation
If you're painting, drilling or cutting you need fresh air. That
is also true if you're plastering or applying chemicals and sealants. Be sure to leave some windows and doors open near
your work area.
6. Make sure you can see what you're doing
Believe it or not, many DIY injuries happen because people just
can't see what they're doing! If the work area is dark, common sense dictates
you illuminate it. Invest in some high-quality LED lights. They are cheap,
use little power and don't put out much heat.
7. Check for pipes and live electrical wires before drilling
Drilling into a wall is a big no-no if you don't check for pipes
and wiring first. The good news is you can use an inexpensive device to help you
find them.
8. Double-check what you do
Before you give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done,
double-check your work. That way, you can remove any doubt that something might
work itself loose in the future.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these DIY safety tips. Thank you for
reading my blog post today!
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