8 DIY Safety Tips – Safety first with Appliance Parts Pros

DIY repairs are an amazing way to save money, improve your home and tackle fun repair challenges. It’s no wonder that the DIY movement is becoming increasingly popular today, with nearly 80% of U.S. homeowners reportedly taking on new DIY projects during the pandemic.

It’s essential to stay safe as you embark on your next DIY project, though. Injuries and costly mistakes can be common, especially for DIY newbies. To protect yourself from risks as you perform a repair on your appliance, here are our top 8 DIY safety tips for appliance repairs.

Common DIY injuries to avoid

Injuries from DIY repairs put thousands of Americans in the emergency room every year. The most common injuries include:

• Cuts from tools or materials (especially from a bench or table saw)
• Hits from misusing tools (especially hammers and nails)
• Tripping over materials
• Slipping
• Falling off a ladder
• Electrocution
• Inhaling noxious fumes
• Burns

In addition, many DIYers injure themselves performing heavy lifting or when they don’t use protective eyewear. Given the frequency of these types of injuries, it’s important to follow our guidelines for safety during your repairs. 

8 safety tips for DIY repairs on appliances

Let’s go through some top tips to keep you and your loved ones safe as you work on your next appliance repair.

1. Research the repair in advance

Before you get started, make sure you research and understand the repair you’re planning to undertake. This includes not only the steps, but also the time allotment and tools you’ll need to perform the repair. Don’t move ahead with the repair until you have a good sense of the full requirements for the job.

Need help with a repair? Check out hundreds of guides on how to repair appliances on our AppliancePartsPros.com blog. 

2. Make sure to unplug your appliance and turn off the circuit breakers

Electrocution is a serious hazard whenever you work on an appliance. To keep yourself safe, be sure to unplug the appliance, as well as turn off the circuit breakers. 

Pro tip: If you live with others, inform them that you’re turning off the breakers and leave a sign on the electrical panel so that somebody doesn’t accidentally turn them on when you’re working. 

If your appliance uses water lines (such as a washing machine or dishwasher), you should also turn off the water supply, so that there are no potential leaks or contact with electrical sources.

3. Wear shoes, gloves and protective gear to avoid injuries

What’s more, you should always be dressed appropriately to make repairs. For example, you should never walk around barefoot in your garage or workspace. Always wear shoes, gloves and other protective gear such as goggles or a mask. 

Gloves are especially important for performing DIY repairs because of the potential to cut yourself on sharp edges or equipment. Many appliances are made with sheet metal that can have razor-sharp edges inside. Get some sturdy work gloves so that you can prevent cuts and lacerations from unexpectedly sharp objects.

4. Identify and utilize the right tools for the repair

Having the right tools will not only improve your chances of a successful repair, it will also keep you safe. Take note of what type of tools you need and if you don’t have them, buy them or borrow them from a friend. Often it’s worth investing in certain equipment that you’ll use repeatedly in appliance repairs, such as a multimeter. 

In addition, you should maintain your tools so that they’re ready to use. For example, your bladed tools should be sharpened so that you don’t injure yourself from performing work with a dull edge. You should also take extra caution with power tools if they’re required for the job. Keep any cords tidy, so you don’t accidentally trip on them, and use the safety latch or guard whenever you move them.

5. Get equivalent replacement parts and high-quality materials

Low-quality materials can also expose you to safety hazards. Whenever you require a replacement part or other materials, always choose genuine, high-quality items from a reputable source. 

With a genuine part, you’ll get a guarantee that it’s the correct one for your model and have access to a warranty in case of any defects. In addition, using a part that you think is “close enough” could potentially result in injury if it’s not the right fit for your appliance. This is especially true when it comes to voltage and weight-bearing parts that can cause harm if they’re not correct.

You should apply this same reasoning to any materials you require as well. It’s better to choose high-quality materials that are slightly more expensive than to choose ones that aren’t suitable or don’t hold up in the long term.

6. Clear your workplace and anchor appliances

Your workspace should be clear and clean so that you have room to work without running into hazards. Take the time to organize your space before starting a repair. Start by cleaning up and storing unnecessary items, as well as checking the safety of the surroundings. Look for potential fall hazards and anchor any heavy appliances that you’ll be working on in advance. Overall, you should be able to freely move around your workplace.

7. Have a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit on hand

Invest in a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit and place them within your working space. It’s essential to have these safety items nearby in case of an unexpected fire or injury. Make sure they’re easily at hand so that you can react quickly in the event of an emergency. 

8. Know your limits and only work within your skill level

While DIY projects can be highly rewarding, you should know your limits. It can be dangerous to take on jobs that go beyond your skill level, as you may not understand how to perform certain steps safely or you may make mistakes that are difficult to fix. 

You should also have a good understanding of how much time you have available. Rushing a repair can lead to risky shortcuts that cause injury. Know what you’re capable of and don’t try to speed things up. 

Pro tip: If you have an appliance repair in mind that you don’t feel 100% comfortable with, ask a knowledgeable friend for help. Doing DIY projects together can be enjoyable and ensures that you have another pair of hands to help you through the repair.

Other tips to boost the lifespan of your appliance

Repairing your appliance isn’t the only way to save money on handyman costs. In addition to performing DIY repairs, you can take care of your appliances to increase their lifespan and efficiency. 

Care and maintenance are vital to keeping your appliances in the best possible working order. Here are a few ways to boost their shelf life:

• Clean and dust your appliances on a regular basis: It’s important to wipe down your appliances frequently to eliminate mildew, dust and bacteria that could impact the appliances’ functions. This is especially true for your refrigerator, which may have bacteria that can cause foodborne diseases in extreme cases.
• Check that you’re using the correct wattage for your appliances: Wattage is serious business, as the wrong combination can drain your appliance or even cause sparks. Whenever you need to replace a part, check your operator’s manual for your appliance to ensure that you’re maintaining the correct wattage. 

• Ensure your appliances have proper space for air circulation: Clearance behind and around your appliances is essential to keep up air circulation and prevent overheating. Leave at least a couple of inches between the wall and the appliance for safety. 

• Clean your exhaust fans to prevent fire hazards: Exhaust fans are prone to fires because build-up can clog them and cause small items to catch flame. Be sure to regularly clean out any exhaust fans, so that you minimize the risk of fire.

• Replace seals and gaskets regularly: To improve the lifespan of your appliance, you can update parts that tend to wear down easily such as seals and gaskets. On a regular basis, replace these parts so that you don’t face greater repair needs from these worn-down areas.

• Use your appliance warranty: When in doubt, look up the warranty for your appliance and check if it’s still valid. If so, take it to the store and see what they say about covering repair costs.

Get started on your next DIY repair today

Safety first! Doing repairs on your appliance may involve a risk of injury, so apply our tips in order to safely repair your appliances and prevent DIY injuries before they happen.

As you repair or maintain your appliance, you can get access to genuine, high-quality parts on AppliancePartsPros.com. Check out everything we offer for popular appliances and order the part for your next repair today!