If you intend to tackle some or all of your own home improvements and repairs, you will need a fairly complete assortment of tools and the know-how to use them properly. Having the right tool, and knowing how to use it correctly, will make a big difference in the relative ease of a task and will often affect the quality of the final result. Here are a few important rules and practices that will help you use tools and materials safely.

Safe Workplace
Work in a well-lit, uncluttered area. Keep tools and materials organized. Plan your setup carefully before you begin working. Whenever possible, avoid working with a partner in cramped quarters; you can too easily be injured by the swing of another's hammer or by a wrecking bar dropped from above. Clean up as you go to prevent the accumulation of bent nails or wood scraps and to eliminate spills that can cause you to slip and fall.

Toxic Materials
Some materials you encounter when making improvements and repairs can be dangerous to your health. These include wood preservatives; oil-base enamel, varnish, and lacquer (and their solvents); adhesives (especially resorcinol, epoxy, and contact cement); insulation (asbestos fibers and urea formaldehyde); and even sawdust or dust particles from wallboard joint compound. Read all the precautions on product labels, and follow instructions exactly. Ventilate the workplace adequately, and clean the area frequently and thoroughly.

Clothing & Gear
Wear sturdy clothing and appropriate safety gear to avoid contact with dangerous materials. Always wear safety glasses when using power tools or tools that involve striking an object, such as a hammer and chisel.

Power-Tool Safety
Although power tools can cause injuries, these tools can be quite safe when you handle them with respect and adopt some basic safety habits. Read the owner's manual carefully before using a tool to understand the product's capabilities and limitations. Be absolutely certain to unplug a tool before servicing or adjusting it and when you have finished using it. Check that any safety devices, such as guards, are in good working order. Follow the manufacturer's specifications carefully to clean and lubricate all of your tools, and make sure all blades and bits are sharp and undamaged.

Safety With Electricity
Unless it is double-insulated, a power tool should be properly grounded. Power tools that are neither grounded nor double-insulated can give a serious--and even fatal--shock. Double-insulated tools are the best defense against a questionable electrical source. These tools contain a built-in second barrier of protective insulation; they are clearly marked and should not be grounded (they will have two-prong plugs only).

If you are working in a damp area or outdoors, a ground fault circuit interrupter--either the portable type or one that is built into the outlet--is an essential piece of equipment.

Use the shortest extension cord you can find for the job. A very long cord can overheat, creating a potential fire hazard. Furthermore, the longer the cord, the less amperage it delivers, which translates into less power for the tool's motor. The most important factor to consider is the maximum amp load your extension cord needs to carry. Look for the nameplate on the tool, which contains its amperage requirement. Add up the requirements of all the tools you plan to plug into the cord at the same time, and make sure it has an amp capacity that equals or, better yet, exceeds this sum.