Many homeowners look forward to making their own improvements. However, they aren’t always safe in what they’re doing, which can lead to many unwanted accidents. Every year, about 100,000 people die as a result of avoidable mistakes, and some of those are related to home improvement. Below are some ways to keep yourself safe while doing your home improvement tasks.
Consider Ladder Placement
Anything you are doing in your home that requires a ladder means that the placement of the ladder is important. Before you ever get up on the ladder, make sure that the ladder is large enough to balance your weight and that you are placing it on a flat surface. Projects like an entry door will require a ladder. According to Remodeling magazine, replacing the entry door earns an average ROI of 74.9%, making it one of the most desirable improvement projects. If possible, someone should stand behind you and spot you in case you lose your balance and start to fall. If you are using a stepladder instead of a regular ladder, it needs to be pulled out so that you can properly balance, and it doesn’t attempt to fold on you when you shift your weight.
Always Wear Shoes
Any project that requires you to climb uses power tools and holds anything sharp, so you should always wear shoes. This can protect your feet if something falls on them and you step down on something sharp. The shoes you are wearing should be in good condition, and if you have them, steel-toe boots to stop the damage of something sharp coming through the top.
Wear Safety Glasses and a Helmet
If any home improvement plans require you to bring out a saw or start trimming branches outside, you must always wear your safety glasses. Debris from the job will start to fly, and you don’t want it to get in your eyes. This will hurt and cause you to panic and hurt yourself worse if you can’t see where you’re going and what you’re doing. If there is a chance that something heavy could come down on your head while working, you should also wear your hard hat to protect yourself from the long-term damage to a blunt force hit.
Use Good Extension Cords
Many home improvement projects will need electricity and power tools. Ensure that the extension cords you’re using are safe and that no wires are exposed. Using extension cords that short out will not only damage the equipment but could cause a short in the box and start a fire. You should replace your extension cords if they are very old, so if you have some you’ve been carrying with you for a couple of decades, it’s time to upgrade them before you move on with the next DIY project.
Turn Off Power
Before attempting a project involving your home’s electricity, make sure you go to the breaker box and have that power turned off. You don’t need to attempt electrical projects if you aren’t familiar with how they work, and you certainly shouldn’t make that attempt with the power still on. You could electrocute yourself and cause a fire in your home. These types of projects should have a professional come in and do.
Secure the Area
If you are renovating a certain area of the home, block that room off from children, pets, and others who may live there. This allows you to secure it so that you and others in the home aren’t hurt while trying to navigate the renovation. If folks are coming through when you are working, and you don’t know it, you could trip over them or drop something on them accidentally.If you take advantage of these tips, you can manage your home improvement projects and avoid getting hurt. This will allow you to tackle new interests and hobbies like golf. According to the National Golf Foundation, 3.2 million players played on a course for the first time in 2021. Make sure you aren’t another statistic, and be safe when taking on home improvement, no matter how small it may seem.