A Little Bit of Caution Can Go A Long Way

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

Always use caution when working with ladders.

Often when there is a job to do in our homes we try to tackle it ourselves instead of calling a professional.  This can sometimes lead to unexpected injuries.  According to the National Safety Council, in 2016, 23.8 million preventable injuries occurred in the home.  Minimize your risk of injury, by avoiding some common mistakes.

Avoid falls – Any job that requires a ladder such as gutter cleaning, tree trimming, roof repair, or changing a light bulb, should be attempted with extra caution.  To minimize the risk of a fall, always position ladders to firm and level ground.  If using an A-frame ladder make sure that it is fully extended before stepping onto it and use a harness or spotter whenever possible.  Finally make sure you are using the correct size ladder.

Cuts – Always make sure your tools are properly sharpened and all fasteners are tight before starting a job that will require cutting.  Dull saws, pruning scissors, or knives can lead to pressing down harder than normal, which makes it more likely to slip and cut yourself.  Consider wearing heavy-duty work gloves as well which can provide additional protection.

Eye Injuries - Our eyes can be extremely vulnerable to debris, dust, and fumes that can be kicked up during a DIY project.  You should always wear protection when working with power saws, lawn mowers, sanders, and other mechanical equipment.

Slipping – Minimize your risk of injury from slipping by exercising caution when near ice or puddles.  To prevent water from collecting around spas, pools, or irrigation systems, identity any low spots on your property where excess water is pooling and fill with a cement patch, soil, or nonskid mats.

When “DIYing” around the home it is always best to tackle items with extreme caution to avoid injury.  If it is a larger job or unfamiliar it is often best to call a professional.  When experiencing water damage from faulty pipes or toilet overflow it is best to call a professional restoration and water mitigation company.  We here at SERVPRO of Gilbert are highly trained, with state of the art equipment to expertly and safely deal with your water issues.