hile the number of “weekend warriors” who choose to per- form home improvement proj- ects on their own has grown dramatically over the years, unfortunately, so have the number of injuries. Spending on home-repair and remodeling materials has grown to an expected $170 bil- lion this year from about $105 billion in 1990. While doing that work last year, homeown- ers sustained more than 300,000 injuries. “Since do-it-yourself proj- ects have increased so much in the last few years, many more people have begun working with tools for the first time,” said Pat Payne, product spe- cialist for American Tool Companies. “What sometimes begins as a dream home improvement project can end up as much more of a night- mare if homeowners aren’t fully prepared.” According to recent annual statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 157,000 people were injured in incidents relat- ing to using ladders in their homes. Nearly 100,000 received treatment for hand saw-related and power saw- related injuries. Screwdrivers claimed about 10,000 victims and hammers pounded wounds in more than 42,000 do-it- yourselfers. . Payne says he wants home- owners to use their tools safely when performing home improvement projects. Here are some safety tips: » Always read the manufac- turers’ instructions before using any equipment and heed all safety warnings. » Always wear safety gog- gles to protect eyes from debris. When working around electrical outlets, shut off the electricity. Cleaning or work- FRIAR GLASS & TILE SCREENS FOR SPRING? Bathroom e¢ Kitchens ® Sunrooms Shower Doors ® Custom Mirrors 268-270 Main Street Luzerne, PA (570) 287-2174 DESIGN © INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE WEEKLY OR SEASONAL FREE ESTIMATES oFULLY INSURED Dallas Nursery and Landscaping By Nick & John Stredny e Since 1954 “From Rough Grade to Finished Landscape” SURG EXECUTIVE GROUNDS CARE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, DALLAS 675-1152 RESIDENTIAL « COMMERCIAL « INDUSTRIAL IAN 3d : W) ) ("7% . NOSE SS N 74 5727 2 -' a OPT a re Co Gin AAA arta. ZI rd Ra %77 AAs (1 RSS a. Page 4- DALLAS POST, April 4, 2001 ing around these areas could result in an electrical shock. * Wear heavy gloves to pro- tect hands when working with sharp objects. * Dress appropriately for the project. Long pants, long- sleeved shirts and proper footwear can help reduce injuries from flying debris. Also make sure long hair does not interfere with the work. * Increase the ventilation in the workspace to reduce fumes and dust. * Wear a mask to reduce inhalation of dust and other particles. » Keep tools away from chil- dren and pets. » Store tools properly and keep them in good, working condition. Use tools only for the pur- pose they are intended. “In addition to using com- mon sense, homeowners should also realize that using the right tool for the right job is also an extreme- ly important safety issue,” Payne said. For example, there are different types of circular saw blades and hand saws for cutting different types of material. Using the wrong blade can result in potentially serious injuries. The same can be said for drill bits. Improper equipment use could result in kickbacks that can damage the materi- al used in the home improvement project, or even worse, lead to a severe injury. “Cutting and drilling are serious tasks,” Payne said. “The right equipment and nlacement windows Scranton Wilkes-Barre Honesdale Kingston Childs Bloomsburg Moosic Now 18 the [ime . es and the unbeatable attention you’ve come to expect from Mesko Glass, call us today! "WE COME TO YOU!" MESKO GLASS www.mesko.com Lehigh Valley AUTO RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL 1-800-982-4055 ...to add beauty and value to your home! From replacement windows to bath enclosures, patio rooms to security doors, Mesko Glass has everything you need to make your home look like new. Since 1930, Mesko has been the area’s premier choice for high quality glass products, with service second to none. For free in home consultations & estimates, knowledge is essential in pre- venting damage to the project, tools and, more importantly, avoiding injuries to the user.” oath enclosures
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