Teaching power tool safety to children is essential for preventing accidents – even if they are not interested in heavy-duty woodwork or metalwork.
The best method is to start teaching safety through hand tools, such as a small handsaw, and then work your way up to more complex power tools once your son or daughter feels comfortable.
Children need to learn how to protect themselves while other people are using power tools.
Use the steps below as a guide...
Practice what you preach
If you say wearing eye protection is important but you don’t wear safety goggles yourself, you are sending a powerful, dangerous message to your child.
Both of you should put on your eye protection, ear protection and closed-toe shoes. Both of you should roll up your sleeves, keep clothing tight to your bodies and tie back long hair.
Lead by example and follow the rules you set for your child.
Make sure power tools are age appropriate
The best method is to start teaching safety through hand tools, such as a small handsaw, and then work your way up to more complex power tools once your son or daughter feels comfortable.
Let your child attend a DIY kids workshop.
These workshops are designed to slowly introduce children to safely using the various power tools by teaching them the proper safety rules and procedures.
Clear the workshop and focus your child’s attention
Even after teaching power tool safety to children, always supervise their actions. Make the introduction safe and fun and you will certainly work together on many more projects.
Make sure that you both have enough room to work without tripping on cords, knocking down tools or bumping into each other.
Clear an adequate amount of space and then double-check that there are no remaining distractions or interruptions.
Your little student should not be distracted by dogs barking, siblings fighting, phone calls, iPod music, or anything else that could suddenly grab his or her attention and risk cuts, bruises or something worse.
Teaching the basics of power tool safety
1. Show your child how tools should be held when they are in use, carried or put down when they are not.
2. Show them how to turn them off and store them away when the job is done.
3. Let children pick up the tools when they are powered off and unplugged- allow them to investigate before the initial trial.
4. Just like with scissors, explain why running with power tools is not a good idea.
5. Demonstrate how to control each power tool and possibly what can happen when the tool gets out of control without hurting yourself.
6. Remember that children’s hands are smaller, so they may need the help of a vice or clamps to stabilise materials while they hold the power tool with both hands.
7. Start the session slowly and begin with low-powered, ‘safer’ tools.
8. Be ready to help your child and take over if necessary.
To make this first experience more fun, you may want to take your son or daughter to a kids’ power tool class, offered by one of the major home improvement chains.
Working alongside other children may minimise your child’s fears and your own.
Even after teaching power tool safety to children, always supervise their actions. Make the introduction safe and fun and you will certainly work together on many more projects.
Article courtesy of www.home-dzine.co.za
