Hammering Home Safety

With spring well under way, this is the time of year when many do-it-yourselfers dust off their tool boxes and tackle home repairs. If that's you, make sure you bring safety along on your projects.

Hammers are the hand tool most often associated with injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency estimates that about 30,000 Americans seek emergency care each year for hammer injuries.

A misguided hammer blow can cause metal to shoot off at a great speed. The National Safety Council offers these tips for using a hammer safely:

• Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes against flying particles.

• Aim your hammer away from your body.

• Use the proper hammer for the job. A carpenter's hammer is the tool for pounding nails. A ball-peen hammer is the tool for hitting a cold chisel.

• The face of the hammer should be larger than the object being struck.

• Check the hammer's handle. Don't use the hammer if the handle is damaged or loose. The handle could splinter or come apart, injuring you.