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DIY Home Project Safety

Stay safe when working on home DIY projects

You probably have a good reason why you want to take on a do-it-yourself home project. Maybe you have acquired the skills to do the work on your own, or perhaps you want to save money, or you enjoy the challenge.

When working on these projects, it’s important to keep safety in mind. You can easily put yourself in a dangerous situation if you don’t take proper safety precautions and understand what you’re doing before you start.

Many homeowners lack the real knowledge or experience to safely take on some projects around the house. They should use extreme caution and thorough planning. If it feels like a project is beyond your skill or comfort level, leave it to a professional.

When it comes to tackling any electrical project at home, here are some safety reminders to keep in mind:

  • Learn about your home electrical system so it’s easier to navigate and maintain it safely.
  • Stay away from a project that is beyond your level of skill. You can help prevent tragedies by calling a professional.
  • Be sure to turn off the power to the circuit you plan to work on by turning off the circuit breaker in your main service panel.
  • Unplug any lamp or appliance before you start working on it.
  • Test the wires before you touch them to ensure the power is turned off.
  • Avoid touching plumbing or gas pipes when doing your electrical project.

You also want to be careful when using power tools for home projects. You should keep these things in mind when using power tools:

  • Protect against electrical shocks by using ground fault circuit interrupters with power tools.
  • Don’t use power tools with extension cords longer than 100 feet.
  • Skip using power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.
  • Be extremely cautious when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated.
  • If a power tool trips a safety device while in use, take that tool to a repair center authorized by the manufacturer.

Source: ESFI

Safety with staining

With spring arriving, you may be considering a DIY staining project. If so, here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to wood stains:

  • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Soak rags or staining materials in water before disposing to avoid combustion and reduce environmental impact.
  • Use non-latex gloves to protect your skin.
  • Always wear safety glasses and a mask.
  • Open doors and windows to allow for proper ventilation.
  • Keep children and pets away from wood stain fumes.

Sources: WOCA Woodcare

Electrical safety checklist

As you are upgrading or renovating areas of your house, consider checking to make sure these electrical items are safe for you and your family.

Outlets and light switches:

  • Are your light switches and outlets warm to the touch, discolored, or making sounds, such as buzzing or crackling? If so, get them fixed.
  • Do plugs fit snugly into all outlets?
  • Do you have enough switches and outlets?
  • Is your furniture arranged in such a way that you don’t have to rely on extension cords?

Extension cords:

  • Have you used any extension cords for more than 30 days? Remember, extension cords should only be used as a temporary measure.
  • Do your extension cords display wires, cracks, frays, or other damage? If so, replace them or get them fixed.
  • Do you have any cords placed where they can be pinched or tripped over? If so, relocate them.
  • Are any extension cords stapled or nailed to the wall or ceiling? This is a safety hazard.
  • Does your extension cord feel hot to the touch? If so, replace it.

Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors:

  • Are smoke detectors installed on every floor of the home, in every bedroom, and outside of every sleeping area? If not, install them as soon as possible.
  • Do you have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed on every floor of the home and outside of every sleeping area? If not, install them as soon as possible.
  • Have you tested your smoke and CO alarms in the last 30 days? Doing so helps ensure you and your family stay safe.

Source: Happy Hiller