Safety in the Clothing Laboratory

Basic Classroom Safety Place backpacks and other personal belongings under your table or chair. Do not touch other students’ belongings. Place all equipment and supplies in the appropriate containers at the end of the period. Clean-up your area, before leaving the classroom. Dispose of fabric scraps, thread pieces, papers in the trash cans. Push chairs under the table before leaving the classroom.

Basic Sewing Equipment Safety Never put anything in your mouth. Keep pins in a pin cushion; never in mouth or clothes Keep shears and scissors closed when not in use Carry scissors and other sharp objects with the points down Never sew or cut things while walking. Pass sharp objects handle first to the other person

Electrical Appliance Safety Turn off appliances before plugging and unplugging Be sure hands are dry when plugging and unplugging electrical appliances Always plug and unplug appliances using the plug not the cord Keep all cords out of areas where others may be walking Unplug cords from outlets when not in use

Iron Safety Only one person uses the iron at a time. Maintain a safe distance (2 feet) while waiting your turn Never touch a hot iron except by the handle Keep fingers and face away from steam Locate the iron cord so the iron will not be accidentally pulled off the ironing board Do not iron over buttons and pins. Turn off and unplug iron before adding water

Iron Safety (cont.) Do not overfill iron with water; the water can boil out Rest the iron on its heel when not in use, not flat down on sole plate Place the iron on the wide end of the ironing board when not in use. Turn off and unplug the iron after each use. Do not try to catch a falling iron Step back and away so that you do not get burnt from the hot water

Sewing Machine Safety Use a slow speed for best accuracy and control when learning how to use the machine Do not talk because you could become distracted and get hurt. Keep fingers away from all moving parts, especially the needle Do not lean your face close when stitching in case the needle breaks Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Be sure presser foot is secure. A loose presser foot is dangerous because a needle could strike it and break.

Sewing Machine Safety (cont.) Do not use bent needles, a bent needle may strike metal and break. Do not push or pull fabric while stitching; may cause the needle to break. Pins should always be on the upper side of the fabric. Do not sew over pins, stop and remove them. Switch sewing machine to off before making any adjustments in the needle area (bobbin, presser foot, needle). Turn all controls to off position before disconnecting the plug from the outlet.

Sewing Machine Safety (cont.) Do not unplug by pulling on the cord; grasp by the plug. When disconnecting the cord from the sewing machine, remove the plug from the outlet first then remove the cord from the machine. If machine (thread) becomes jammed stop sewing and get help.

Fire Extinguisher Located by the classroom door ABC type of extinguisher for all types of fires A type of extinguisher used for common combustibles Wood, paper, fabric B type extinguisher used for flammable liquids Oil, gas, grease C type extinguisher used for electrical fires To use: Pull pin Aim at base of fire Squeeze handle Spray with sweeping motion

Fire Blanket Used to extinguish fire when someone’s clothes or hair catch fire Smothers fire by depriving it of oxygen Made from wool which is a self-extinguishing fiber To use Pull handle to open case and remove blanket Wrap blanket around victim Pat to extinguish fire

Fire Drill/Evacuation Plan Take belongings and exit building through NB-hall north gym exit, follow sidewalk and cross drive to grassy area (200 feet from building) Stay together, attendance may need to be taken If instructed to do so, (Evacuation) proceed to meeting area for your homeroom where attendance will be taken