by Bethan Davis
December 6, 2022
The holidays are a wonderful time of year to gather with family and friends for food and activities. Whether it be from a deep-fried turkey, stray firework, or a board game that got a little too serious, these gatherings can sometimes end in the emergency room. With Black Friday sales wrapping up and Christmas quickly approaching, many consumers are making investment purchases such as power tools.
The market for power tools is expected to maintain steady over the next several years, with less than 1% decline from 2021 to 2026. There are certain groups of people to thank for this expected steadying, such as…
These consumers are also likely to receive power tools as gifts during the holidays. Like any other gifts, those who receive power tools are likely to want to tear open and use them straight away! This unfortunately can lead to unsafe or careless use, causing serious injuries. Being aware of safety precautions when using power tools before giving or receiving them as gifts can help keep holidays merry and bright!
“Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is difficult to remember that they may pose hazards. Tragically, a serious incident can occur before steps are taken to identify and a void or eliminate tool-related hazards. Employees who use hand and power tools and are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive, and splashing objects, or to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment.”
In this note, OSHA reminds workers of the long list of risks associated with common power tools, including injuries ranging anywhere from tendonitis to amputation, but electric shock, puncture wounds, and eye injuries are the most common.
Electric shock is a common injury especially around the holidays, due to extra lights and decorations making for more wires laying around and putting extra pressure on a home’s fuse box. Wires from power tools can easily get pinched in doorways or under furniture, which can expose wires. Keeping wires and cables neat and out of the way and ensuring that they are plugged in completely with nothing near the outlet can help prevent electrocution. Even when using a wireless power tool, which will continue to become more popular in the coming years, they often come with a charging station. Leaving this charging station plugged in while not in use can cause a buildup of electricity, leading to electrocution or fire.
Eye Injuries from power tools can be caused by improper handling or maintenance of tools or by not using proper eye protection during use. When replacing blades, drill bits, or other components of power tools is crucial to thoroughly read the instructions provided with the tool, and that the original parts are being replaced with the correct new parts in the correct size. Failure to do so can allow the improperly installed pieces to fly off and cause eye injury. The easiest way to protect eyes when using power tools is to wear a simple pair of safety glasses. If using a tool or materials that can produce dangerous fumes or airborne particles, it is recommended to use additional safety gear.
Puncture Injuries can result from accidental slipping of tools or materials and improper or careless use. When using tools or materials with sharp points, it is best to follow the same precautions that you would with scissors; keep all points directed away from your person or at the floor, hand to others only by the handle, and do not run while holding tools or materials. Wearing gloves protects hands from other accidental punctures, cuts, or scrapes.
The number of handheld corded and cordless power tools purchased have both increased in the last year. First time homeowners, college graduates moving off campus, and new parents are some of the groups who contributed to this growth. With the increase of power tools in homes across the United States, the more important awareness of safe power tool use is. Consumers can keep themselves and their families safe by observing these simple guidelines when decorating or breaking in new holiday gifts. To read more about power tool demand expectations over the next several years, check out Freedonia Group’s new report “US Power Tools”.
About the Author: Bethan Davis is with MarketResearch.com, where she writes, edits, and provides production assistance for The Freedonia Group and other brands.
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