As the weather gets warmer, homeowners tend to look beyond the interior and begin outdoor maintenance and improvement projects. Many of these do-it-yourself projects involve the use of power tools. Working with power tools requires skilled instruction and training as they can be deadly if not properly used or maintained. Safety Tips - When working with power tools in your home or yard, safety should always be the foremost concern. The following guidelines can be used to ensure your safety when using power tools:
- Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool to protect against electric shock hazards.
- When working with electricity, use tools with insulated grips to avoid electrical shock.
- Always plug power tools into a grounded outlet, unless they are double-insulated.
- Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.
- If a power tool trips a safety device while in use, take the tool to a manufacturer-authorized repair center for service.
- Do not use power tools without the proper guards.
- Do not use power tools with an extension cord that exceeds 100 feet.
- Appropriate personal protective gear should be worn when using power tools.
- Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated.
Facts and Statistics - The most recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that there are nearly 400 electrocutions in the United States each year.
- Approximately 15 percent of electrocutions are related to consumer products.
- Eight percent of consumer product-related electrocutions each year are attributed to electrical accidents with power drills, saws, sanders, hedge trimmers, and other electric power tools (CPSC). Most of these fatalities could be prevented by the use of a GFCI.
- Nine percent of electrocutions were caused by accidents involving the use of lawn and garden equipment and ladders, which in most cases came into contact with overhead power lines.
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