5 Safety Tips to Follow When Driving Nails With a Hammer

A hammer offers a simple and effective solution for driving nails into wood. As you may know, hammers are handheld tools that feature a blunt-tip head and a claw. You can strike a nail with the blunt-tip head to drive the nail into wood. But there are several safety tips you should follow when driving nails with a hammer.

#1) Strike in the Center

Always strike nails in the center. Striking your hammer on the edge of a nail may cause it to bend. The nail won't enter the wood vertically. Instead, it may bend to the side. Bent nails, of course, are frustrating, but they can also cause injury. To prevent bent nails, aim for the center when striking them.

#2) Strike at a 90-Degree Angle

In addition to striking nails in the center, you should strike them at a 90-degree angle. A 90-degree angle means your hammer should strop straight down on the nails. It will encourage a smoother entry. The nail will enter the wood more easily if you strike it at a 90-degree angle. Using a 90-degree angle will also reduce the risk of injury. You'll be less likely to accidentally strike your body if you use a 90-degree angle.

#3) Keep Your Free Hand Away

Make sure your free hand is away from the nail before striking it. You don't need both hands to use a hammer; you can strike nails while holding a hammer with just one hand. Before dropping the hammer, though, make sure your free hand is away from the nail. If your free hand is directly next to the nail, you may accidentally strike it rather than the nail.

#4) Wear Eye Protection

Don't underestimate the importance of eye protection when driving nails with a hammer. Eye injuries occur. As the nail enters the wood, for instance, it may create debris shrapnel. Without eye protection, some of this shrapnel may injure your eyes. The bottom line is that you should always wear eye protection when driving nails with a hammer. A pair of impact-resistant goggles is all it takes to protect against eye injury.

#5) Hold Near the End of the Handle

A common mistake workers make when using a hammer is holding it near the tip of the handle. The correct method is is to hold hammers near the end of the handle. It will give you more leverage while minimizing the risk of slippage. If you hold it near the tip of the handle, your hand may slip, which can result in injury as the hammer drops.