2020 will always be remembered as the year we stayed at home, and now we’re spending almost 24/7 in our homes, it seems a lot of us are turning to DIY to pass the time.
Whether it’s because we’ve finally got enough time on our hands to tick off that long list of jobs we’ve had for months. Or maybe, having spent so much time in the same surroundings, we’re feeling inspired and ready to mix things up a bit!
Either way, if you’ve spent a lot of time scrolling through your Instagram feed, we bet you’ve seen plenty of DIY home hacks trending. From creating abstract feature walls using frog tape, to DIY wall paneling, making your own statement mirrors, and much more. There are plenty of options to try in even the smallest of home spaces if you’re wanting to get creative.
But when it comes to DIY it’s important to remember the risks involved! There’s a reason why in more ‘normal’ times you would’ve called in a professional to help you get the job done. And while most trending DIY home projects are perfectly safe, it’s still a good idea to be equipped with the right safety gear.
Let’s take a look at some of the PPE you might want to invest in if you’re planning on giving a DIY home hack a go.
Eye Protection
Potentially the most important piece of PPE you can invest in is eye protection – after all, you really can’t put a price on your eyesight. Safety glasses should be worn if you’re doing any DIY which involves drilling/sawing/working with chemicals. Basically, if there’s any potential risk of something getting in your eyes whether this is wood/metal particles or even a liquid chemical, then we’d recommend keeping your eyes covered.
Disposable Gloves
If you’re going to be working with any chemicals, or even just want to protect your freshly painted manicure from getting covered in paint or chipped, then disposable gloves are a must-have for any at-home DIY project!
We’d recommend a pair of nitrile gloves, which is what hairdressers use to protect their hands from chemical dyes. Not only will they keep you covered from paint, but they’re also resistant to most chemicals and will even keep your hands safe from scratches and small cuts.
Face Mask
Now, after 2020 we’re sure you’ve already got at least one of these lying around! Wearing a face mask while working on your next DIY project might feel a bit silly, but it can seriously keep you safe. A quality grade face mask will keep you safe from breathing in strong chemicals as well as dust particles and shavings, which are common if you’re working with wood or metal.
Cut Resistant Gloves
While nitrile gloves can protect you from small nicks and cuts from sharp edges, they are not completely resistant to cuts. If you’re particularly nervous about using sharp knives or saws for your project, then we’d highly recommend buying a pair of cut resistant gloves. They’re inexpensive and will give you peace of mind, and confidence to carry on with your DIY hack!
We hope you feel more confident going into your next project, now you know how to properly stay safe. Happy DIY-ing! We’d love to see your attempts at the latest Instagram interior hacks.