Make Sure Dad’s Man Cave Is Safe

Man Cave, Shed, Studio, DIYer's Retreat

Call it what you will but a home workshop is now considered an important part of family life.

Psychologists agree all that drilling, grinding, sanding, building and repairing is good for Dad’s mental state. And having children involved in small workshop projects is a great way to build their life skills.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, now is a good time to look at shed safety.

While many home workshops have a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher, most don’t have safe wiring and adequate lighting.

A proper sub-switchboard with a safety switch should be top of the list. A basic version isn’t expensive and consider getting at least one circuit with a higher rating for heavier equipment.

There is a tendency for DIYers to overload power points with too many electrical tools. The affordable solution is power points installed at waist level or higher. These reduce trip hazards from cords and make the work area much safer if youngsters are going to be working with Dad.

Proper lighting, positioned above work spaces, is also affordable. Consider LED options, which are brighter and cheaper to run.

If Dad’s man cave is up to standard consider getting a motion-sensor floodlight installed outside the entry door so he’s not stumbling around in the dark. Another fitted inside will get him safely to his workbench.

So go ahead and make Father’s Day but don’t forget that plenty of mums like to have their own workspace too.