Essential Workshop and DIY Safety Tips for Beginners

By Cade Shadowlight 

 

Whether you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated workshop, a cluttered garage, a spare room, or just a closet for your tools, safety is non-negotiable for any DIYer, homesteader, or prepper. A single mistake can lead to damaged property, serious injury, or worse. Here’s a comprehensive guide to keeping your workspace and projects accident-free. 

 

Workspace Setup

 

1. Lighting and Ventilation: Ensure your workshop or work area is well-lit and well-ventilated to avoid eye strain and chemical fume buildup.
2. Clear the Clutter: Keep your space tidy with enough room to work without tripping over tools or bumping into stacks of lumber.
3. Proper Wiring: Confirm your workshop’s electrical system is up to code and can handle your power tools and equipment.
4. Extension Cords: Regularly inspect cords for fraying or damage. Use the right gauge cord for your tool’s power needs—don’t skimp! 
5. Emergency Preparedness: Keep a stocked first aid kit nearby, including a tourniquet, burn kit, and eyewash bottle. If you’re working away from your workshop, bring it along.Refuge medical offers excellent, American-made first aid kits and supplies. Dystopian survival is an affliate, so you get a discount at checkout by using our link (just click here!).
6. Fire and CO2 Detection: Install a fire/smoke/CO2 detector and check its batteries regularly. (Amazon link)
7. Fire Extinguisher: Have an ABC-rated (all-purpose) fire extinguisher within reach. (Amazon link)
8. Tool Storage: Store tools securely on shelves to prevent falls. Keep sharp or dangerous items out of reach of kids and pets.
9. Chemical Safety: Store paints, oils, glues, and cleaners in proper containers, away from heat or flames. Keep oily rags in a safe, fireproof container. (Amazon link)
10. Workbench Stability: Use a sturdy, balanced workbench and avoid overloading it with excessive weight.
11. Electrical Repairs: Always turn off the power at the circuit breaker or make sure it is completely unplugged before working on anything electrical.

Safety Gear

 
12. Wear the Right Gear: Match your protective equipment to the task: 

 

• Safety glasses with side protection for general tasks. (Amazon link)
• Safety goggles for chemical splash risks. (Amazon link)
• N95 or respirator masks for painting, polishing, etc. (Amazon link)
• Welders helment and gloves if welding. (Amazon link)
• Work boots (consider steel-toe for heavy-duty jobs). (Amazon link)
• Heavy-duty work gloves for wood or lumber; mechanic’s gloves for dexterity. (Amazon link)
• Workshop or leather apron for added protection. (Amazon link)
• Chainsaw chaps for cutting tasks. (Amazon link)
• Hearing protection for loud power tools. (Amazon link)

Personal Behavior

 
13. Know Your Tools: Never use power tools or equipment without proper training. If you’re unsure, ask or read the manual.

 
14. Stay Sober: Avoid using tools while under the influence of alcohol or drugs—your coordination and judgment are compromised.

 
15. Use the Right Tool: Don’t force a tool to do a job it wasn’t designed for, and never use damaged tools.

 
16. Dress Appropriately: Wear fitted clothing and sturdy shoes (no flip-flops!). Remove dangling jewelry or scarves before using power tools.

 
17. Lift Smart: Use your legs, not your back, to lift heavy objects. Get help for anything too heavy to handle solo.

 
18. No Flames: Don’t smoke or use candles near flammable materials like gas or oil.

 
19. Stay Focused: Keep your attention on the task—distractions lead to accidents.

 
20. No Horseplay: Skip the pranks, running, or goofing off in the workshop. Save the fun for after the tools are put away.

 

Extra Precautions

21. Work with a Buddy: If possible, have someone nearby in case of an accident.

 
22. Emergency Communication: Keep a cell phon handy to call for help.

 
23. Read the Fine Print: Follow manufacturer instructions and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for tools, equipment, and chemicals.  

 

Final Note: This list isn’t exhaustive, and your specific setup or projects may require additional precautions. Always use common sense and prioritize safety. Tools and safety gear make great holiday gifts! Using my affiliate links helps support this website at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash  

Plants That Supercharge Your Soil for Survival Gardening

By Cade Shadolwight

Healthy, fertile soil is the backbone of any thriving garden, especially in a forest garden designed for resilience. Certain plants can naturally enhance soil quality, making them essential for survival gardening. These plants fall into three key categories: dynamic accumulators, nitrogen fixers, and hyperaccumulators.

Dynamic Accumulators, Nitrogen Fixers, and Hyperaccumulators

Dynamic accumulators have deep roots that mine minerals from subsoil, making nutrients available to shallow-rooted plants. Nitrogen fixers, through a mutualistic relationship with rhizobial bacteria, enrich soil with nitrogen, a vital nutrient for plant growth. Both types are ideal for companion planting in forest gardens or as ground cover and "green manure" to boost soil health.

Dynamic accumulators and nitrogen fixers can be grown near other plants (companion planting), which is why they work so well in forest gardening, or as a form of ground cover crop and "green manure." Your choice of specific plants to use will depend upon your particular location and climate, of course, but partial lists of both appear below.

Your choice of plants depends on your climate and location, but below are partial lists of dynamic accumulators and nitrogen fixers. Additionally, hyperaccumulators detoxify contaminated soils by absorbing heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and aluminum through a process called phytoremediation. For a detailed phytoremediation table matching toxic elements to specific hyperaccumulators, visit Wikipedia’s phytoremediation page.

Partial List of Dynamic Accumulators 

• Black Locust - Robinia pseudoacacia - Canopy 
• Dogwoods - Cornus spp. - Understory 
• Arrowroot - Maranta arundinacea - Herbaceous Layer 
• Borage - Borago officinalis - Herbaceous Layer 
• Comfrey - Symphytum uplandicum - Herbaceous Layer 
• Dandelion - Taraxacum spp. - Herbaceous Layer
• Indian Grass - Sorghastrum nutans - Herbaceous Layer 
• Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis - Herbaceous Layer 
• Mint - Mentha sp. - Herbaceous Layer 
• Stinging Nettle - Urtica dioica - Herbaceous Layer
• Switchgrass - Panicum virgatum - Herbaceous Layer
• Yarrow - Achillea millefolium - Herbaceous Layer
• Plantains - Musa spp.- Herbaceous Layer
• Alfalfa - Medicago sativa - Herbaceous Layer

 Partial List of Nitrogen Fixers 

• Alder tree and shrubs - Alnus spp. - Canopy or Understory 
• Black Locust Tree - Robinia pseudoacacia - Canopy 
• Kentucky Coffee Tree - Gymnocladus Dioicus - Canopy
• Russian Olive Tree - Elaeagnus angustifolia - Understory 
• Bayberry - Myrica spp. - Understory 
• Acacias - Acacia spp. - Canopy or Understory
• Most Beans - Fabaceae family* - Herbaceous Layer
• Peanuts - Arachis hypogaea - Herbaceous Layer
• Vetches - Vicia sp. - Herbaceous Layer Perennial 
• Clover - Trifolium sp. - Herbaceous Layer 
• False Indigo - Baptisia australis - Herbaceous Layer 
• Scarlet Runner Bean - Phaseolus coccineus - Vine 
• Wisteria - Wisteria floribunda - Vine

*Note: The legume family (Fabaceae), including beans, clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, and peanuts, is among the most accessible and effective nitrogen fixers.

Resources

Plants For A Future - Informative website and database listing over 8,000 edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful plants.

Building Soils for Better Crops - This book is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth background, from what soil is to the importance of organic matter. Availble on Amazon.

Dystopian Survival's Free Email List - Get expert tips and articles to thrive in today's world. Discover essential skills, from homesteading and gardening to the strategies and tools you need for modern survival. Sign up now!

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Tool Tip: Soldering Iron Kit – Your Tech-Savvy Survival Hack

By Cade Shadowlight

 

In a dystopian future, new gadgets might not be a click away on Amazon anymore. When your radio, solar charger, or scavenged drone breaks, a soldering iron kit is your ticket to keeping tech alive. Think of it as a hot glue gun for circuits. It is perfect for fixing wires, circuit boards, or even rebuilding salvaged electronics in a grid-down world.

 

Available on Amazon

A basic soldering iron kit, like this one on Amazon, comes with a soldering iron, solder, multiple tips, and a stand for under $20. It’s beginner-friendly, letting you repair small electronics or wire up a DIY power system. Pair it with a multimeter (Amazon link) to diagnose issues, and you’re ready to tackle anything from a busted walkie-talkie to a homemade EMP shield. 

 

Pro tip: Learn and practice on old circuit boards first, unless you want your apocalypse radio to look like a melted toaster. Also, practice kits are availble on Amazon, and inexpensive. 

 

These kits make killer holiday gifts for both preppers and hobbyists!

 

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