10 DIY Safety Tips Under $10

Posted by Ben Thompson on 03.24.11

Last week I was in a safety seminar that our staff attends annually and as we were moving through slides I grabbed my smart phone and posted these 10 Safety Tips on the Thompson Trio Facebook page. I have not posted the catastrophic photos that illustrate the importance of these tips as a courtesy. Here they are for the benefit that heightened awareness will bring you.

Safety Tip #1 – Ladder 4:1 Rule – means don’t make your ladder angle more than 75 degrees. If your ladder is 10 ft tall, make sure the base of the ladder is at least 2.5 ft from the house.

Safety Tip #2 – Cut away from your body and hands so you don’t stab yourself with a utility knife.

Safety Tip #3 – Don’t use a flathead screwdriver to pry stuff. Use a flat bar or pry bar. Screwdrivers break.

Safety Tip #4 – Duct tape is not a suitable fix for cracked handles on a hammer or sledgehammer handle.

Safety Tip #5 – Spend $10 on safety glasses that are comfortable and may even look semi-cool. If they aren’t comfortable… you won’t wear them.

Safety Tip #6 – Don’t ever let your skin (fingers/body) come within 3″ of a saw/power cutting blade.  Use a push stick when using a table saw.

Safety Tip #7 – Take off your rings and watches before doing ANY carpentry or home repair projects. Pay $30 to have your rings resized so you can easily remove them.

Safety Tip #8 – Remove strings from your hooded sweatshirts that you work in.  Make sure your work clothes are not loose or “holey.”

Safety Tip #9 – Your children, grandkids, spouse, and friends want to be able to talk to you when you’re 60 years old, so wear good ear protection when you work or even mow the lawn (only $10).

Safety Tip #10 – When you rent equipment, please pay attention to the operation and safety instructions.  It will speed up your learning curve, you’ll get more work done, and it will keep you safe!

There you have it.  Safety tips that are commonly avoided and very cheap personal insurance.

Topics: Thompson Times, Thompson Tips, Care & Maintenance, home maintenance, safety