The Power Tool Safety Checklist Every New Homeowner Should Read

Being a homeowner means it’s up to you to take care of your home. There’s no landlord that’s going to do the work for you!

While you can call your local plumber, electrician, HVAC technician, roofer, or handyman to come and fix the things in your home, there are small fixes you can take care of yourself.

This requires you to have some tools on hand — some of which are going to be power tools. However, when operating power tools, there are some safety rules you must follow.

Safety Precautions to Follow When Operating Power Tools

• Wear protective eyewear when operating most power tools.
• Do not hold power tools by the cord and let them dangle; hold power tools with both hands in the way they’re supposed to be gripped (according to the instruction manual)
• Do not wear loose clothing when operating specific power tools; clothing can become caught in power tools and an injury can be sustained.
• Keep fingers away from the switches or triggers that activate the power tool when they’re not in use to avoid accidentally starting them.
• Ensure you have good footing before operating a power tool; operating power tools while on scaffolding or ladders can be extremely dangerous.
• Use both hands to operate any power tool; this means anything you’re working on should be clamped down or secured in place.
• If parts of a power tool are designed to be sharp, keep these pieces as sharp as possible for optimal performance.
• Unplug all power tools before changing out parts (and before cleaning them).
• Do not pull on the cord in an attempt to unplug the device.
• If a power tool does not work right and needs repair, place tape over the power tool and label it “Do Not Use” until it has been repaired.
• Store power tools in their appropriate cases and out of reach of children.

Before you plug in your power tools, make sure you’re aware of the most important safety guidelines!

For those jobs that you can’t DIY, know that Lancaster has a full team of plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians that can get the job done for you! Just give us a call!