Essential tool safety knowledge tips

Finishing a household job perfectly is very satisfying, but finishing it safely is more important. These tips will help you safely work with your tools.

• When you're not using your tools, keep them in assigned places where they won't be dinged up by other tools.
• Store cutting tools where their sharp edges won't be damaged (and where they won't damage other tools or fingers).
• To prevent rust, store tools in a dry place. Spray a rust-inhibiting coating on steel tools or put a few packets of clay or silicone desiccant in the toolbox or cabinet. (Such packets come with most new tools; you can buy them at hardware or home supply stores.)
• If there are children in your home, keep tools under lock and key. This keeps them from being damaged or causing damage to roaming hands.
• If the tools don't come with blade protectors, make your own: Get a couple of plastic report-cover spines from a stationary store and slide them over the teeth of your saws; cut slits into tennis balls and slip chisel blades inside.

• When you're working on a home project that requires tools or machinery, always wear sturdy shoes with slip-proof soles.
• Roll up your sleeves and tie back your hair to keep it out of the way as you work.
• So that you're not juggling a thousand things, carry your hand tools in a tool belt, and keep nails and screws in a canvas nail apron.

• Wear heavy work gloves when you're doing anything that could smash or scrape your fingers. Use rubber gloves when handling toxic materials. Don't wear gloves when cutting or drilling — the tool could slip out of your hands and injure you.
• Whenever you do grinding, filing, chiselling or any other work that involves dust or flying chips, wear safety goggles (or even a full face shield) to protect your eyes.
• Wear a dust mask when sanding or doing other work that might stir up particles that could irritate your respiratory system. The most effective masks are marked "CSA-approved". They are generally thicker than cheaper masks and have straps for a tighter seal.
• If you're going to be subjected to harmful vapours or fibres (such as those from insulation), wear a respirator. The best models come with interchangeable, colour-coded cartridges to filter out the harmful effects of toxic dust and fumes from specific materials, such as paints and adhesives.
• If you'll be kneeling a lot, wear protective kneepads or kneel on a folded blanket or thick layers of newspaper.
• When you use a loud power tool or make a lot of noise, protect your ears with foam earplugs or earmuff-style ear protectors.

• Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case a small blaze breaks out.
• Before working with flammable or toxic substances — such as paint, kerosene, or contact cement — extinguish any gas pilot lights in the room, open windows, and turn on a fan to ensure proper ventilation. Above all, don't smoke. Many substances give off fumes that could ignite.
• Also, only buy as much flammable or toxic material as you need (don't buy a litre of paint thinner if you only need a cup, no matter how great the price might be).
• Dispose of leftovers as recommended by the manufacturer, or contact an environmental protection agency or your health department for instructions.