Even the most simple of tasks in the DIY world of auto-tinkering and repair can be hazardous to your health. I had TWO near disasters and then it dawned on me how important precaution is. I don't know, maybe most of you out there will look at me like I'm stupid, "should've known", and just move on. But if by posting this I help just one person, it's worth it.

WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES. (even more important than "sun screen").

I nearly destroyed one of my eyes today. I was trying to repair my third brake light, and in one of the steps to do it I had to cut apart the red lens from the plastic base. As I'm using my knife as a wedge to help separate the parts, **SNAP**!!! A piece of the brittle red lens broke away at warp speed and went smack into my eye. I wasn't wearing any eye protection. Who'd have thought something like this would happen? Fortunately, the piece bounced out and fell to the floor (rather than remaining like grenade schrapnel lodged in my eye). A blood spot appeared on the white of my eye, but didn't affect my vision. I washed it out with saline. There's no swelling, and I expect I'll recover without a problem (just look a little blood shot, like after being in a fight). But what if it HAD lodged into my eye, and even worse in the iris/lens part? Wearing protective goggles is a priceless measure of insurance.

Last week, as I was doing an inspection of the undercarriage of my car, a small but sharp piece of metal flake fell down towards my face. I didn't see it (dark under there), so the automatic "blink" didn't kick in. It fell directly into my right eye. Of course, THEN the eyelid snaps shut. As I did that, I felt a burning sensation. I quickly ran into the house and washed my eye out. Fortunately I got the piece of metal out, only causing some minor irritation. But it could have easily scratched my cornea. Or caused worse damage.

Anyway, I learned the hard way on how important goggles are. I can't stress enough how important it is to use them. Pain in the butt they are, and when you're doing something quick it doesn't feel like it's worth going to get them. But DO IT ANYWAY.

Peace.

 

Hmm..I guess it's good that i wear glasses already

 

yeah, i already wear glasses, and if there is any possibliity that they wont be enough i do keep my "glasses' glasses" in my tool box because i don't want to damage my eyes any more. if i went blind and couldn't drive my max i might have to committ suicide or something

 

Ya I have a fooking sty thingy cause of some rust back in the Y pipe and O2 sensors erra. Was under the car banging and tugging on those damn bolts for the stinking Y and got a nice chunk of rust in there.

Doc says the metal is out, but the sty thingy could never go away and I may have to get it cut off if I want it out!