Any time you are doing any kind of home improvement, safety must be your primary concern. Invincibility and manual labor do not go together. We offer you the following advice for avoiding accidents when working with tools.

1. Wear protective glasses or goggles when using power tools, and when chiseling, sanding, scraping, or hammering, especially  if you wear contact lenses.
2. Wear ear protectors when using power tools, since many operate at noise levels that damage hearing.
3. Tie long hair back and do not wear loose clothing or long necklaces or scarves that might get caught in tools.
4. Wear the proper respirator or face mask when sanding, sawing, or using substances with toxic fumes. Try to do all of these projects outside or in a well-ventilated area.
5. Keep blades sharp. A dull blade requires excessive force and is therefore more likely to slip and cause accidents.
6. Always use the appropriate tool for the job.
7. Repair or discard tools with cracks in the wooden handles or chips in the metal parts, as they may fail and cause injury.
8. Don’t drill, shape, or saw anything that isn’t firmly and properly secured.
9. Take care when storing oily rags, which can spontaneously combust (I am completely serious — it’ s not as cool as it sounds).
10. Don’t abuse your tools. They have feelings, too.
11. Keep a first-aid kit on hand.
12. Don’t work with tools if you are tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Power tools are like cars in this way, except you generally escape with your life from tool accidents.
13. Read the owner’s manual for all tools and know the proper use of each.
14. Keep all tools out of reach of small children.
15. Unplug all power tools when changing settings or parts.