When it comes to DIY, staying safe is one of the most commonly overlooked things to consider. Of course, it’s also one of the most important.
In this handy guide, we’ve laid out some of the key things you can do to help keep yourself safe when tackling your next DIY project.
Wear the right gear
The first thing you should do when starting a bit of DIY is to make sure you’re wearing the right stuff. Your clothes, and the additional safety gear you can put on, make all the difference when it comes to your personal safety. There are a few key areas to think about when it comes to what to wear for DIY:
Safety glasses
Safety glasses or goggles can prevent a whole host of eye injuries. Without protection, dust and grit which is released into the air can get into your eyes and cause a lot of damage. Investing in some close-fitting safety goggles or glasses is a must for any DIYer.
Protective Masks
Similarly, breathing in airborne dust and dirt can lead to serious health problems, especially if it happens regularly. A simple face mask, like the ones you might have lying around after COVID, worn over your nose and mouth can protect you from inhaling those kinds of particles. Some DIY projects could also require you to wear specific respirator masks if you are handling particularly dangerous substances which could let off fumes.
Gloves
Whilst not necessary for all DIY projects, a pair of safety gloves can come in very handy if you’re handling anything which could otherwise be painful or dangerous to hold with your bare hands.
Protective Footwear
As a general rule, you should always be wearing closed-toe shoes when doing DIY. However, if there’s a risk of anything heavy falling onto your feet, you should wear heavy, if possible steel-capped, boots in order to protect your feet.
Avoid loose clothing
Whilst it’s important not to wear anything too restrictive when doing DIY, you also need to make sure your clothes aren’t too loose. This is because any loose clothing or dangling jewellery could get caught and cause you serious problems.
Use the right tools
Using tools improperly is the number one cause of injury during DIY projects. The first step in avoiding this is to make sure you have the right tools for the job before you get started. Every tool is designed to be safe to use when carrying out a specific function, so if you try to improvise and use something in an experimental way, you are putting yourself at serious risk of injury. As well as this, investing in the proper tools will not only help to keep you safe but will also massively improve the quality of your project.
Keep things tidy
Keeping your workspace clean and tidy might not seem like a top priority, but it can dramatically reduce the risk of injuries from trips and slips. Putting tools away when you’re not using them rather than leaving them out, tidying away offcuts and looping up cables and wires are all great ways of making your space safer so you can get on with your DIY with confidence.
Don’t rush
DIY is often something that has to be squeezed into evenings and weekends around a busy schedule. This can make it very tempting to try and rush through as much as possible in any time you find available to work on your projects. However, rushing can lead to dangerous mistakes and injuries, so it’s always better to pace yourself and accept that these things just take as long as they take.
Be careful with ladders
Ladders, and working at height in general, can be dangerous and needs to be treated with respect. When using a ladder, you need to make sure that you place it on a stable and level surface which is well out of the way of any obstacles or doors which could swing open. It’s also important to remember not to use the top two rungs of a ladder so you have enough support. A frame ladder also always needs to be securely locked into its fully open position before use.
Leave some things to the professionals
Finally, it’s important to note that some jobs really are best left to the professionals. Messing with electricity, gas or plumbing can have serious consequences.
For more information on DIY safety, or to stock up on supplies for your next project, get in touch with Confast today.