Tool Safety For Kids: How To Teach Children To Use A Hand Saw

Most of the time, kids get curious about the activities that adults do. They find it interesting and fun. However, there are some tasks that are too risky for them to try, which is why all they can do is watch adults do the work. 

Still, woodworking and DIY projects are great skills for kids to learn. It develops their creativity, motor skills, and promotes independence as well. If your kid likes to create projects in the workshop, teaching them basic tool handling is important to ensure safety.

One of the most basic tools found in every workshop is a hand saw. Although it has an intimidating appearance, it’s completely safe when properly handled. So, if you have this tool and you plan to teach your little one how to use it, here are some tips. 

1. Check its fit.

The first thing you should do is check if the hand saw could fit in their hand. The right fit of a hand saw will enable them to maneuver the tool properly. This will also train them on how to control the tool in any movement easily. Always ensure that the hand saw is appropriate for their age and weight so that they won’t have a hard time while learning. 

2. Always provide them with eye protection and gloves.

It’s very important that kids wear safety gear before handling any tools. It would be best if you always remind them of this important step so that they will adapt and apply it all the time as they grow. This will prevent them from any harmful instances, and they will be more disciplined when handling tools. 

3. Check the tool before turning it over to your kids.

When allowing your kids to use a hand saw, it’s important that the tool itself is in good shape. You must choose a durable and reliable hand saw to cut wood for your kid’s DIY projects, thereby helping prevent accidents during the process.

It’s also important to ensure that the hand saw is in good condition before letting your child use it. See to it that the wood handle does not have any splinters and burrs. Clean the blade and remove any rust as much as possible so that it won’t affect the tool’s performance and enable the kids to use it seamlessly. Lastly, make sure that the blade is securely attached to the wooden handle so that it won’t fall off when in use. 

4. Safe sitting.

When they start handling the tool, make sure to teach them the proper posture as well. One best example is safe sitting. To execute this properly, one knee should be up while the foot is flat on the ground to keep the balance, and the other knee should be kneeling. By doing this, they can easily push themselves away to avoid unexpected incidents. 

5. Start with basic and simple projects.

After teaching them how to properly handle and control the tool, assign them with some basic projects that will serve as their training ground. Depending on your kid’s age, some projects are easier and some are harder. Choose one that will surely enable them to apply their skills and develop the way they handle the tool. Pick a project that will push them to use critical thinking as well. 

Some suggestions include a birdhouse, crayon holder, coat rack, candy dispenser, a robot toy, camping tent, or a tree swing. 

6. Make sure that they are working in a convenient working space.

Their working space is an essential factor when learning. It should be clean, convenient, and has enough space to move. Ensure that your child is an arm’s length from anyone else when using a hand saw so that they can properly execute the movement and can move freely. It would be best if you train them in an open space. 

Final Words

There you go. Those are some of the important factors to take note of when planning to teach a kid to use a hand saw. The key here is to always put safety first to avoid any problem when they start to do a live task. 

Always remind them of the limitations and keep them supervised. Address their concerns, if there are any, and guide them all the way until they master the basic steps and easily maneuver the hand saw. Allowing them to learn at a young age will surely hone their skills and enable them to learn the importance of properly handling a tool.