When the weekday professional decides to become a DIY weekend warrior and home improvement projects are on the to-do list, safety is an important detail that should not be overlooked. Home accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries for adults in America. According to recent industry reports, seven million Americans suffer home injuries each year with home improvement injuries being the most common.
Here are a few safety tips that may just save do-it-yourselfers from a weekend visit to the ER.
Head
There are many vulnerable and accident-prone places on the human head, which makes it one of the most important places on the body to protect. Safety glasses or goggles protect eyes from dust, debris and flying pieces wood and metal. Ear plugs help save hearing from the high decibel-level noises created by power tools. Dust masks and respirators are essential for keeping small particles and chemical fumes out of the airway and lungs. And any project involving overhead building requires a hard hat–construction workers don’t wear them just because they’re stylish!
Hands
Hands and arms are essential tools for the do-it-yourselfer, but because of this they’re also very prone to injury. Avoid stitches, gashes and broken fingers by using extra care and by always having several pairs of gloves nearby. Wrist-length gloves protect hands and allow for extra gripping power, while elbow-length gloves protect from sparks and flying debris.
Legs
Crawling around the bare ground or on floors is not only painful on knees, but can do a great deal of damage as well. Invest in a good-fitting pair of kneepads for comfort and to provide extra grip to prevent slippage. If a project involves walking through loose debris or materials, shin guards will help prevent an excruciating whack to the lower leg by a piece of wood or metal.
Toes
The experts at Wolverine boots and shoes tell us that the human foot has over 26 bones in it and wearing footwear to protect those delicate bones is important no matter what the job. The next time a home improvement job takes some heavy lifting, choosing a boot with a safety-toe will help protect the feet. It’s also important to select a rubber outsole that provides slip-resistant, non-conductive security on a number of surfaces.
Unlike knee pads or gloves, which come in standard sizes, it is important to find a work boot with a proper fit. When purchasing boots, it’s important to try them on, fully lace them and walk around in them to make sure the fit is snug and secure.
Companies such as Wolverine have been designing work footwear since 1883 and have made comfort and safety a priority for more than a century.
By doing a bit of homework before starting your next home improvement project, you can find the perfect protective gear that will keep you comfortable, safe and ready for anything the task at hand might throw your way.
To find a work boot that fits your next weekend DIY project, visit www.wolverine.com or call
(800) 545-2425 for more information.
Link to this page
As you might imagine, I’m a bit of a safety nut! Thanks for this one and your continued support of my website.
yes safety first