While the number of "weekend warriors" who choose to perform home improvement projects on their own has grown dramatically over the years, unfortunately, so have the number of injuries.

Spending on home-repair and remodeling materials has grown to an expected $170 billion this year from about $105 billion in 1990. While doing that work last year, homeowners sustained more than 300,000 injuries.

"Since do-it-yourself projects have increased so much in the last few years, many more people have begun working with tools for the first time," said Pat Payne, product specialist for American Tool Companies, a leading manufacturer of power tool accessories and hand tools - including the famous VISE-GRIP locking pliers. "What sometimes begins as a dream home improvement project can end up as much more of a nightmare if homeowners aren't fully prepared."

According to recent annual statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 157,000 people were injured in incidents relating to using ladders in their homes. Nearly 100,000 received treatment for hand saw-related and power saw-related injuries. Screwdrivers claimed about 10,000 victims and hammers pounded wounds in more than 42,000 do-it-yourselfers.

Payne says he wants homeowners to use their tools safely when performing home improvement projects. Whether it's a simple "fix-up" task or an extensive project, it is always important to follow some key safety precautions. American Tool Companies offers these home improvement safety tips:

- Always read the manufacturers' instructions before using any equipment and heed all safety warnings.

- Always wear safety goggles to protect eyes from debris.

- When working around electrical outlets, shut off the electricity. Cleaning or working around these areas could result in an electrical shock.

- Wear heavy gloves to protect hands when working with sharp objects.

- Dress appropriately for the project. Long pants, long-sleeved shirts and proper footwear can help reduce injuries from flying debris. Also make sure long hair does not interfere with the work.

- Increase the ventilation in the workspace to reduce fumes and dust.

- Wear a mask to reduce inhalation of dust and other particles.

- Keep tools away from children and pets.

- Store tools properly and keep them in good, working condition.

- Use tools only for the purpose they are intended.

"In addition to using common sense, homeowners should also realize that using the right tool for the right job is also an extremely important safety issue," Payne said.

For example, there are different types of circular saw blades and hand saws for cutting different types of material. Depending on the material that needs to be cut - wood, plastic or metal - a different saw blade is needed for each one. Using the wrong blade can result in potentially serious injuries.

The same can be said for drill bits. Certain drill bits must be used for certain jobs. Improper equipment use could result in kickbacks that can damage the material used in the home improvement project, or even worse, lead to a severe injury.

"Cutting and drilling are serious tasks," Payne said. "The right equipment and knowledge is essential in preventing damage to the project, tools and, more importantly, avoiding injuries to the user."

Finding the right tools for the job isn't always an easy task. Homeowners and DIYers can check out the following Web sites to ensure that they find the correct tools to safely perform their jobs:

Circular Saw Blades

www.irwintool.com

www.marathonblade.com

www.sprintblade.com

Hand Saws

www.jacksaw.com

Drill Bits

www.turbomaxbit.com

www.unibitstepdrill.com

www.uni-plus.com

"Knowing the correct tools to use and how to safely use them are two things that every do-it-yourselfer should learn before beginning a home improvement project," Payne said.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info@aracontent.com

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