A Guide to Safety in Home Projects

Preparation is essential when you're tackling a home installation or repair project. From the ground up, you need to decide what to buy, shop for the product, and get all the tools you need even before you get started. An important part of preparation includes ensuring the safety of yourself, your home, and anyone else around. Most people are eager to get started and over-estimate their own abilities in regard for safety. Here's what you need to know about the proper gear and accessories to stay safe while working on home projects.

What NOT to Wear
Don't let the home TV shows fool you with their stylish outfits while they apparently operate machinery or wield a hammer on site. You aren't dressing for anyone when you are working on a home project. Dress for safety! That means taking off any jewelry, pulling back your hair and wearing protective clothing if needed. While long sleeves on shirts can be cumbersome, you probably want to wear long pants and closed toed shoes for added protection.
Safety Accessories
Protect your body with the proper safety gear! Protective eye goggles are key in just about any situation, since you never know when something could spray, pop, or even blow into your face at any moment. Home projects can be unpredictable. When it comes to loud equipment, ear plugs are a cheap and invaluable piece of safety equipment. It's not always comfortable, but staying safe is more important! If you're doing any sanding or drilling where dust can abound, wearing a mask, especially one with a respirator, will not only protect you from dust but also help you breathe easily.