Have you ever taken on a do-it-yourself home-improvement task that seemed like it belonged on Fear Factor? I can remember nailing siding onto my house from the top of a 30-foot scaffold. That one got my blood circulating. Then there was the Habitat for Humanity house building project where we tightrope walked across the tops of 2-by-4 stud-framed walls carrying roof trusses.

Home-improvement projects often call for risky practices. When you're working at heights, with power tools or sharp blades, with heavy, awkward, or toxic materials, or with electricity or natural gas, accidents can happen. So you need to be especially careful.

By employing proven safety techniques, you can greatly reduce the risk of danger or injury. Here are a few very important practices and rules:

* Know how to use your tools 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 end result.

* Tackle only those tasks that you feel safe handling. If you're uncomfortable on the roof because it is too high or steep, leave the roof repairs to a professional. The same holds true with jobs that require specialized tools.

* Work in a well-lit area. Try to 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.

* Keep a tidy work area to avoid creating your own hazards. Don't allow power cords to tangle. Pick up and store power tools, sharp tools, or dangerous materials that might cause injury. Pull all nails from old lumber. Clean up any spills. Keep tools and supplies away from the reach of small children.

* Dress for safety. In other words, don't work in your flip-flops and shorts. Sturdy clothing, work boots, and gloves will give you far more protection. And, whenever you use power tools, hammers, or other striking or cutting tools, wear safety glasses.

* When using power tools, be sure to follow all precautions stated in the manual. Always unplug the tool before servicing or adjusting it and when you're finished with the task at hand. Be sure the tool works properly and is equipped with proper safety guards. And keep drill bits, blades, and cutters sharp—dull tools require extra force and can bind, making a tool dangerous.

* 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—even fatal—shock. Double-insulated 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). When working with corded power tools outdoors, be sure they're plugged into a receptacle that is protected by a ground-fault-circuit interrupter (GFCI). In the event of a short, one of these will shut off the circuit instantaneously.

* 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.

* When using a ladder, position it on a flat, firm surface. As you climb or reach, keep your weight centered. Do not lean out to one side; keep your hips between the rails; never stand on the top two rungs. When using an extension ladder to reach the roof, extend at least two rungs above the eaves. This way, you can hold onto the ladder as you step onto the roof.

* Don't go up on the roof in bad weather or if your roof has a pitch steeper than 5-in-12. (Pitch expresses the angle of a roof's slope. To figure a roof's pitch, you measure how many inches it rises vertically for each 12 inches of horizontal "run," or distance. A "6-in-12" pitch rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches of run.)

* Do your own electrical work only if you have the necessary knowledge. Be sure to shut off the power before working on a circuit. Use a circuit tester to make sure a circuit is not active after you have shut off the power (sometimes more than one circuit is wired through an electrical box). Never work on a live circuit, fixture, outlet, or switch.

* Think twice before working on gas pipes—this is a job that's usually best left to a professional. If you have the know-how to do your own work, remember that gas is flammable and explosive—never use a flame (or a match) to test for leaking gas. Test for leaks by brushing a solution of soapy water onto connections. Escaping gas will create bubbles.

* Equip your garage or workshop and home with fire extinguishers. Every home should have two working A-B-C fire extinguishers. Be sure they're large enough to handle home fires—rated a minimum size of "2A10BC" on the label. Periodically check them to be sure they are fully charged.

* Doing home improvement projects often exposes you to hazardous chemicals and materials. Many strippers, varnishes, solvents, preservatives, adhesives, and other products used to accomplish projects contain hazardous ingredients. Be sure to pay attention to all label warnings. For some materials or situations, a certified respirator is a must. Ventilate the workplace adequately, and clean the area frequently and thoroughly.

* Dust and fibers can be hazardous to breathe. When sanding wood or wallboard joint compound, wear a dust mask. Never sand, scrape, or dislodge surfaces that you suspect contain asbestos— this can put highly hazardous fibers into the air.

* Test for lead before sanding or stripping paint. Test kits are available in most home-improvement centers. Leave stripping large surfaces that are painted with lead paint to an experienced professional. Before removing even a small quantity of lead paint, seal off the work area with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Always wear a respirator, gloves, and protective clothing. Vacuum the area only with a particulate vacuum cleaner designed for the job (these can be rented). Pregnant women and children should not be in the house or at the work site until all dust is removed.

* Last but not least, keep a good first-aid kit on hand. You can buy a first-aid kit that is endorsed by The American Red Cross online at www.redcross.org.