While working on your home may seem like an amazing opportunity for you to save some money, as well as brag about being self-sufficient, this is also a practice that comes with many hidden dangers. Chances are that it will be your first time using some tools or techniques and no matter how informative that YouTube tutorial is, or how simple it all appeared when someone else was doing it, chances are that things won’t run as smoothly. Therefore, you need to be extra careful, as well as protect yourself with some vital equipment. With that in mind, don’t Even think of DIY Home Improvement without this essential gear.
1. Safety glasses
The first thing you need to understand about home improvement is the fact that safety glasses are A) inexpensive and B) don’t have an expiration date. This means that after you make a purchase, you’re set for good. Needless to say, you don’t have to use these glasses for every single home improvement, yet, you would be surprised in just how many occasions they may come in handy. Of course, there are different types of glasses, some meant for UV light protection and computer vision syndrome, while others are there to prevent foreign objects from damaging your eyes. Overall, these glasses should always be the first item on the list.
2. Earplugs
When operating sharp and potentially dangerous machinery, your focus will be the major difference when it comes to your overall safety. Loud noises can be incredibly distracting but this is just the tip of the iceberg of all problems that it can cause. Needless to say, loud noises could damage your hearing, on some occasions even leave a mark that will have a long-term effect. Fortunately, all of this can be avoided with the help of earplugs or earmuffs. One misconception about earmuffs is the idea that they’re impractical to carry around, nonetheless, high-end models are also foldable. Going for quality is also important in terms of the overall noise reduction.
3. Protective footwear
There are many different reasons why it’s absolutely necessary that you wear quality steel cap boots. For starters, they protect you from falling objects. Second, they give you reliable protection from punctures and cutting hazard. Steel toe boots with a rubber sole are there to protect you from electrical hazards, as well as from slipping, falling or tripping. At the end of the day, the fact that you’re constantly on your feet means that having proper footwear may help protect you from getting fatigued. Also, if some of the works are taking place outdoors, protective footwear may help against extreme weather.
4. Dust mask
Another important thing you need to have in your DIY home improvement inventory is a dust mask. However, here you have two major options to choose from, a high-end and a low-end one. We’re, of course, talking about a reusable respirator versus a disposable dust mask. Keep in mind that for most work around the house, the first option is a bit of an overkill. In fact, with the proper use of a disposable dust mask, you can get decent protection for only a fraction of the price. Just remember that it’s significantly harder to breathe through a mask, which is why you should make more frequent breaks. Remember, any tool, even a protective one, is only effective if you know how to properly use it.
5. Work gloves
The materials from which protective equipment has advanced so much that it produces a maximum of protection with minimum weight and bulkiness. Nowhere is this as obvious as in the case of work gloves. Still, before making a purchase, you need to check the tactile sensation, as well, not only focus on the protection part. If you’re unable to perform all the necessary tasks with them, you’ll have to take them off. In that case, what’s the point of even owning a pair?
6. Hard hats
Finally, even though the majority of household repairs don’t involve tasks that involve a lot of falling debris, it’s always better to have a hard hat in your inventory. You should never underestimate the danger of accumulated rubble but it’s sometimes worth having this piece of equipment even if it’s just for the sake of keeping your head safe from dust. All in all, the cost of a hard hat (even a quality one) is minor, which is why you may want to make a purchase even if you highly doubt you’ll ever get to use it.
In conclusion
As you could see, the vast majority of this equipment is a low-cost single-purchase, which means that it will fit any budget quite easily. This also gives you an opportunity to combine their costs and save money on one item in order to invest more heavily in a different piece of equipment. Seeing as how they also give you a productivity boost, other than just protecting you, you could also look at it as an investment in the future of your household.
By Liam Smith – Liam Smith is a young and aspiring Australian blogger with a passion for everything related to home, design and lifestyle. He has a B.Sc. in Interior design and is an avid reader.
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