Don't run the engine in a garage or anywhere else without proper ventilation — EVER!
Carbon monoxide is poisonous; it takes a long time to leave the human body and
you can build up a deadly supply of it in your system by simply breathing in
a little every day. You may not realize you are slowly poisoning yourself. Always
use power vents, windows, fans and/or open the garage door.
Don't work around moving parts while wearing loose clothing. Short sleeves
are much safer than long, loose sleeves. Hard-toed shoes with neoprene soles
protect your toes and give a better grip on slippery surfaces. Jewelry such
as watches, fancy belt buckles, beads or body adornment of any kind is not safe
working around a vehicle. Long hair should be tied back under a hat or cap.
Don't use pockets for toolboxes. A fall or bump can drive a screwdriver deep
into your body. Even a rag hanging from your back pocket can wrap around a spinning
shaft or fan.
Don't smoke when working around gasoline, cleaning solvent or other flammable
material.
Don't smoke when working around the battery. When the battery is being charged,
it gives off explosive hydrogen gas.
Don't use gasoline to wash your hands; there are excellent soaps available.
Gasoline contains dangerous additives which can enter the body through a cut
or through your pores. Gasoline also removes all the natural oils from the skin
so that bone dry hands will suck up oil and grease.
Don't service the air conditioning system unless you are equipped with the
necessary tools and training. When liquid or compressed gas refrigerant is released
to atmospheric pressure it will absorb heat from whatever it contacts. This
will chill or freeze anything it touches. Although refrigerant is normally non-toxic,
R-12 becomes a deadly poisonous gas in the presence of an open flame. One good
whiff of the vapors from burning refrigerant can be fatal.
Don't use screwdrivers for anything other than driving screws! A screwdriver
used as an prying tool can snap when you least expect it, causing injuries.
At the very least, you'll ruin a good screwdriver.
Don't use a bumper or emergency jack (that little ratchet, scissors, or pantograph
jack supplied with the vehicle) for anything other than changing a flat! These
jacks are only intended for emergency use out on the road; they are NOT designed
as a maintenance tool. If you are serious about maintaining your vehicle yourself,
invest in a hydraulic floor jack of at least a 1 1⁄2 ton
capacity, and at least two sturdy jackstands.
Fig. 1: Always support your vehicle on jackstand while
working underneath
Fig. 2: If you're using portable electric tools, make
sure they're grounded, preferably at the plug by a three wire connector
