AKRON, Ohio — Bob Campbell has done his own concrete work for years. So the Akron, Ohio, do-it-yourselfer never thought twice about laying the concrete foundation for his new carport ... until he got into the shower afterward, and the skin on his knees came off.
Campbell’s skin had come into contact with lime from the cement portion of the concrete. When alkaline compounds get moist from water or sweat, the reaction can eat away at skin and other tissue.
It had never happened to Campbell before, so he didn’t know about the potential danger. And because he didn’t know about the danger, he didn’t read the warning on the bill of sale he got from the company that delivered the concrete.
A month after the accident, Campbell’s wounds have healed with no long-term damage. But he wanted other homeowners to know about the hazard in the hope of sparing someone else.
Accidents from projects around the house send thousands of do-it-yourselfers to emergency rooms each year. For example, in 2010, lawn mowers sent an estimated 89,518 people for treatment in the United States; home workshop power saws, 80,688 people; and workshop manual tools, 131,762 people, according to the most recent figures available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Not all accidents are preventable, of course. But in many cases, some simple precautions can save us from ourselves. John Drengenberg of Underwriters Laboratories and Christy Beeghly of the Ohio Department of Health offered some suggestions for reducing DIY injuries.
• Don’t take any project lightly.
Even something as simple as changing a light bulb can have potential danger, says Drengenberg. Screw in a bulb that uses more watts than a socket is rated for and heat can build up, he noted. That can damage the socket, the wires in the fixture or even the wiring in the wall, possibly sparking a fire.
His point: Lose the I-can-accomplish-anything arrogance and humble yourself enough to find out what you’re getting into.
• Slow down.
We’re busy. We don’t like spending precious time on nagging projects when more appealing options beckon.But rushing can lead to injury, noted Beeghly.
Take the time to make sure you’re prepared, she said. Read all the instructions. Assemble the equipment you’ll need. And give yourself time to do the job properly and safely.
Often the instruction manuals for tools and equipment will include safety tips, so read them and heed them, Drengenberg urged.
• Wear the right gear.
Safety glasses are a must if you’re working with any tool or in any situation that might lead to eye injury. Think that through, Beeghly urged. Bits of material can fly up when you’re drilling, sawing or hammering. Branches can poke your eyes.
Gloves, ear protection, proper footwear and other protective garb or equipment can also be important, depending on the job. Avoid loose clothing, jewelry or long hair that might get caught in equipment.
• Use ladders wisely.
Ladder accidents account for more than 200,000 emergency room trips a year, Drengenberg said. Long extension ladders aren’t the only culprits. Stepladders and step stools can be dangerous, too, he said.
The basic rule he cites is “one step at a time, two hands at a time." Wear a tool belt so you can always keep two hands on the ladder, or have someone hand up tools to you, he suggested.
Use the right ladder for the job, and set it on a flat surface, Drengenberg said. Don’t overextend your reach, no matter how much trouble it is to get down and move the ladder instead. And never stand on the top rung. “That’s for trapeze artists, not for do-it-yourselfers," he said.
• Practice power tool safety.
Tools such as power saws and hedge trimmers have a place for both your hands. That’s intentional, Drengenberg said. It gives you more control of the tool and discourages you from using one hand to hold the item you’re cutting. Use a clamp instead, he said.
Another feature that exists for a reason is the safety guard. Don’t remove it, Drengenberg said, unless you absolutely have to for making a special cut. If you do remove it, replace it immediately.
Keep tools in good working order, and be sure to use the right blade or tool for the task, he said. It’s funny when someone posts a picture online of some doofus trying to prune his tree with a circular saw. It’s not so funny when that doofus cuts off a couple of fingers.
• Keep your work space clean.
This isn’t a Felix Unger thing. Picking up debris, cleaning up spills, unplugging and putting away tools and equipment, and otherwise keeping your work space reasonably orderly means less chance of slipping or tripping, Beeghly said.
