You may feel confident using power tools around your home, but safety should still be a primary concern. Even experienced people can have serious accidents, so you should never skip even the most minor of safety precautions. By consistently following certain rules you can prevent many potential hazards that could harm you or your family.
The steps that should be followed are:
1. Read the instructions
When buying or borrowing a power tool, be sure to read all of the instructions carefully. Different brands and types of tools will have different safety regulations.
2. Maintain and check your power tools
Before you begin any project, be sure that your power tools have been regularly checked and any maintenance that is necessary, has been performed. A loose screw, drained battery, or rusty blade can cause serious damage on both your project materials and your body.
3. Dress for work
You wouldn't arrive to the office in Bermuda shorts, so don't pick up a drill while wearing pearls. Wear comfortably fitting clothing, goggles, ear plugs, Wand gloves when necessary. Loose shirts or accessories can get tangled in the power tools, causing damage to both you and the machine.
4. Work in an appropriate area
You sometimes might be limited in your workspace options, but it's important to make sure the area is well-ventilated and as clean from debris as possible. Tripping or fainting while running a power tool will almost certainly lead to disaster.
5. Watch your cords
Electrical shocks are common hazards that can usually be avoided. To ensure electrical safety, don't plug in too many devices into one outlet, stay away from moisture, use tools with double electrical insulation, and keep them wires from getting tangled. You don't want to get snagged on a wire and go face first into your project.
6. Turn it off
Always turn off your power tools when not in use, and unplug them if they will be unused for a long period of time. Even if you're just going to set it down momentarily, it needs to be switched off. A power tool in motion can leave a destructive trail.
7. Be prepared for the worst
No matter how cautious you are, accidents will happen. Having a telephone with preprogrammed emergency numbers and a first aid kit can help you out of a difficult situation. Make sure that your first aid kit includes more than just band-aids. Alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide, gauze, medical tape, tweezers, soap, scissors, and plastic gloves are all necessities.
8. Educate your children
Very young children should not be allowed near power tools and they should be stored and locked in a safe place. Teenagers should be taught safety tips early if they will be allowed to use power tools. Even with safety training, they should always be supervised closely.
A little slip is all it takes to cause some serious damage. By always following safety rules, most accidents can be avoided and risks greatly reduced. The more knowledgeable you are about your tools and how they work, the better shape you'll be in. |
