Posts tagged: safety
6+ Germ-Infested Places in Your Home
By DIY Maven
MWT has a cold. At least we HOPE it's a cold and not that snout flu. Just to be on the safe side, as soon as the first sniffle appeared, I wiped down places I deemed 'germ-laden'. According to WebMD, my hunches were right, but I missed some! Here's a rundown of the 6 germiest places in your pad and ways to de-funkify them.
Curbly Video Quick Tip: Create a Crosscut Sled on the Cheap.
By Chrisjob
The table saw is the most versatile option for the DIYster, equally successful at making rip cuts (with the grain) and crosscuts (across the grain). When making crosscuts, it's much better to rely on support which holds the workpiece at a 90-degree angle to the blade, rather than the rip fence, which is parrallel to the blade.
Enter the crosscut sled, an extremely easy homemade option for safe and accurate crosscuts on any table saw. This option » READ MORE
A warning to all GPS owners.
By DIY Maven
Recently, a friend of a friend had his car broken into. The thieves stole his GPS and garage door opener. Before the guy could get home to change his garage door opener code, the thieves had found ‘home’ on the GPS, opened the garage and cleaned the guy out. So, if you absolutely need to have ‘home’ as one of your waypoints, perhaps a code name for it might be in order. You might want to skip that little house icon too.
Caution! Christmas Light Safety Tips.
By Chrisjob
Whether they're outside, inside, or perhaps a bit of both, Christmas lights are connected to your home circuit, and as with anything, especially those outside, you gots to be safe.
Here's a few tips from Suite101 to keep the fires in the yule logs and the shocks on your face when you open the perfect gift.
• Leaving lights on while not at home
• Christmas Tree Advice
• Extension Cords
• Stringing lights together
• » READ MORE
10 Most Common Mistakes of DIY'ers.
By ChrisjobTrying something the first time is gonna lead to a few fluff ups. Here's a well assembled list of ten to keep in mind as you embrace a new project.
3. Not having the right tools. 4. Failing to take proper safety precautions.
5. Failing to recognize the scope of a project. 6. Not having enough help. 7. Failing to read directions » READ MORE
How Not Where? - Updated
By lilybeeI've been feeling a bit philosophical about houses, homes and the way that we live. In part prompted by a home that I sometimes walk past.
It's this place here. I think it's beautiful, with that mottled red-ish brick and great sash windows. The gorgeous fire escape garden, beautiful and clever paint colours and good accessories all make it look like it's inhabited by someone who loves and takes pride in their home.
The thing that blows m » READ MORE
Worry Less On Vacation
By lilybee
The goober and I are heading to Ireland tomorrow for a week and a bit. My sweetie is sitting this one out which means I don't have to worry about the flat being empty.When leaving someone at home just isn't an option, there are plenty of things you can do to worry-proof your home they include:
- giving your neighbours a heads up, and a contact number
- using timers to turn on lights, radio's etc
- turning the phone ringer off
- cancelling you » READ MORE
How to Avoid Splintering and Tearing when Cutting Plywood.
By ChrisjobThe thin layers of plywood can often splinter and chip when cut with a power saw, resulting in an ugly edge that looks like this:
To prevent your cut line from tearing:
1. Always use an appropriate blade for plywood, and be sure that it’s sharp. The blade that came with your saw – whether you bought or rented it – is likely inadequate.
2. Be sure the good face of your plywood is closer to the outside of the blade. So on a table saw, the right » READ MORE
How to use extension cords safely.
By DIY Maven
Extension cords are meant to be a temporary solution and NOT a substitution for permanent wiring. However, if you are to use them, here are some good tips to follow in an effort to prevent electrical fires.
- Secure extension cords down with electrical tape, especially if they are run across trafficked areas.
- Keep slack in your extension cords, as tension at the plug can cause the connection to pull loose.
- Make sure that the amperage of the cord can » READ MORE
How to Prep Your Car for Winter Driving.
By ChrisjobIt's cold, people, and the last few days have dropped snow all over the nation. Yet, life doesn't stop, and unfortunately, most of us don't own snowmobiles or a giant red sleigh with eight tiny reindeer. Help your trusty ole automobile do its best.
- Inspect your antifreeze.
- Have your charging system checked for free at any Advance Auto Parts store.
- Change your oil and oil filter.
- Visually inspect all lights.
- Check tire tread condition.
- Replace wiper » READ MORE
DIY Disasters!
By ChrisjobDIY Dump has assembled a "Top Five" list of "DIY idiots" who've attempted a DIY adventure, only to have it take a different course than they planned.
A similar article details that Britons have cause over 350 million pounds of damage to their homes with failed DIY projects.
Does that make you wanna think twice before starting your next DIY-venture?
Nah, I didn't think so
Pumpkin Carving Safety.
By Chrisjob"Pumpkin carving, that beloved family ritual, can turn as nasty as the goblins lurking outside if you're not carefuI, particularly if you let children carve or use the wrong tools. [Consumer Report] informally tested several pumpkin-carving kits and found that they can reduce the risk of getting cut."
Five Better Ways to Hammer A Nail.
By ChrisjobEven with a collection of power tools in the garage, it stills pays to be able to use the ultimate mechanical tool combo: the hammer and the nail. Here's five tips from Popular Mechanics for success every time: straight nails, and nice, safe thumbs.
1. Roughen the hammer’s striking face with sandpaper. 2.Blunt the nail's sharp tip with your hammer. 5. Let your hammer res » READ MORE
3. Strike the edge of the nail's head.
4. Drive nails at different angles.
How to not shoot yourself with a nail gun.
By DIY Maven
This Old House has a grisly gallery of x-rays of poor victims who shot or were shot with nail guns. General Contractor God Tom Silva gives his recommendations on how-NOT-to wind up with a nail in your hand...or head. The top six safety rules are as follows:
1. Avoid itchy trigger finger.
2.Choose the safest model.
3. Get the right gear.
4. Watch out where you’re pointing.
5. Don’t get hooked. (As in watch out for fish-hooking nails.)
6. Unplug.
Thi » READ MORE
Seven No-Cost Tips to Keep Your Home Safer.
By ChrisjobThe cost of a home-security system can be intimidating, or even preventative. Even everyday folks deserve a safe home, so take a peek at this article from the Smarthomesecurity blog.
1. Trim your garden.
2. Lock up your tools.
3. Make it look like you're home often, even if you're not.
4. Replace outdoor lights.
5. Don't advertise big purchases.
6. Better hide your emergency house keys.
7. Lock your door!
[Image from inkart.com]
How To Make a Featherboard.
By ChrisjobA featherboard keeps smaller pieces of wood safely against a table saw’s or router table's fence. It allows the stock to move in one direction, preventing kickback and providing a more accurate cut. They’re easy to make, and can be a fun first project for a new table saw owner.
Remember, always use a pushstick when maneuvering small pieces of stock, or when the fence is less than 5 inches from the blade, as in this project.
Materials:
Piec » READ MORE
"Auto-Off" Candle?
By DIY Maven
According to the US Fire Administration, $390 million dollars is lost every year to home fires started by unattended or unsupervised candles. The Candlewatch just might prevent such fires.
The Candlewatch is the brain child of Ohio resident Greg Hart. The device is an automatic candle snuffer that pops on the top of any jar-type candle. Set the built-in timer and the lid closes to extinguish the flame. Clever, huh?
The Candlewatch is availabl » READ MORE
