Safety first when it comes to DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects. It’s the season for Fall and Winter maintenance around the house, outdoor gardening projects, and before we know it, we will be hanging holiday lights and decorations. It’s important to have the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as the right equipment. Longenecker’s Hardware has much of the PPE you need for basic DIY projects in our store.
Across the U.S., ladder falls result in nearly 165,000 emergency room visits each year, with 300 deaths, according to the National Safety Council. The causes of these falls range the gamut from tree trimming to simply changing a light bulb. A 6’ or 8′ ladder is ideal to have around for basic tasks. Of course, a longer ladder is needed to get on the roof to unclog roof drains and gutters, paint trim, hang lights, etc. An extension ladder is what you will need for these tasks. It should be 7 to 10 feet longer than the highest support or contact point, which may be the wall or roof line. This will allow enough length for proper setup, the overlap of ladder sections, height restrictions of the highest standing level, and where appropriate, the extension of the ladder above the roof line. The highest standing level should be four rungs down from the top.
Safety goggles or glasses should be impact-resistant and have side protection. Goggles fit snugly on your face and offer better protection from flying debris. For better glasses, look for ones that are approved by the American National Standards Institute. Depending on your project you may want to wear a hard hat or helmet as well if there may be falling objects.
Power tools can be loud. Wear earplugs for lighter projects. If you’re using loud power tools for an extended time, you may prefer protective earmuffs. In addition to protecting your hearing, ear protection can help keep out debris.
There are various types of safety gloves. Some gloves are designed to protect your hands from abrasion. They can protect you from getting cut if you’re working with rough materials that need sanding. Some types prevent burns if you’re handling chemicals or hot objects. Some help you grip items when precision is vital for safety. And of course, some are for warmth. Another type of safety wear to accompany gloves is protective sleeves. They’re helpful for preventing injuries from chemicals and flying debris.
Respiratory protection is important when you’re using paint thinner or chemicals. It’s also important to protect you from debris and fine dust. There are basic masks and masks with respirators. A basic N95 dust mask is good for filtering out drywall dust and wood dust. However, you’ll need a P100 respirator for spraying or removing paint. N indicates non-oil-proof masks. P indicates that a mask is oil-proof for up to eight hours. R indicates oil-resistant abilities for up to eight hours. And remember, if your house is built before 1978, there may be lead in the current paint or paint underneath, which causes many health hazards so you may want to call in a professional.
There are many other safety clothing choices such as protective footwear, coveralls, high visibility shirts and vests, knee pads, visors, aprons and more. Make sure you put some thought into your project beforehand and factor in lighting, temperatures you’ll be working in, fatigue and be prepared with the proper PPE. We’ve all heard sad stories of someone who was injured or worse from a home improvement project.
