Sewing by hand requires a certain amount of safety precautions, add the word machine to sewing and the safety precautions increase significantly. Most precautions are similar to properly operating any piece of machinery, however some are unique to sewing machines.

If you have the privilege of teaching a young person the joys of sewing you also have the responsibility of teaching safety and proper use of the sewing machine.

The first thing you will experience when teaching a young person to sew, even after a short lesson is " Let me do it! Let me do it! " Their eagerness is exciting for both you and them, give them a little space but stay in control. They always want to make something before they know how to thread the machine, stay in control.

SOME SAFETY TIPS FOR OWNING, OPERATING AND TEACHING SEWING BY MACHINE.

1. Try to have a designated area for sewing, preferably a separate room where you can close the door when not in use.

If the above is not possible consider a cabinet where you can close the machine down when not in use. If this is not possible, avoid leaving your machine out and unattended even for short periods when young children or pets are present.

2. Unplug the electric cord from wall out-let when not in use.

3. Remove needle from machine when not in use.

4. If you have been sewing for long periods of time on a conventional type sewing machine with a carbon element foot control you may experance some electrical odor and the foot control may become very hot. This does not necessary mean you have a problem, however you should let your machine rest for about 1/2 hour.

5. If you have a cabinet model occasionally check and tighten the set screws that hold the machine in the cabinet.

6. Replacing light bulbs can be dangerous. Sometime light bulbs are very hard to reach and if a bulb has been in the machine for a long period of time it can be very tight and difficult to remove. First unplug the electric plug from the wall out-let. Use a light bulb extractor (see below), or purchase a chair leg cushion, looks like a rubber stopper of various sizes to help remove a tight bulb. This will help avoid cutting your finger should the glass break. Remember most Singer bulbs are the push-in and turn type.

7. Avoid leaving sharp sewing item out while not in use such as pins, needles, scissors, seam rippers etc.

8. As an iron is a necessary part of sewing, do not leave it on or out especially on top of the ironing board. Little ones can bump the legs of the ironing board and cause the iron to fall on them.

9. If you have house pets they may like to chew on the cords inspect them occasionally for chew marks. Replace cord if damaged. Avoid using electrical tape for permanent repairs. Teach your pet to avoid all electric cords.

10. And remember teach your children the basics of sewing machine safety and the proper use, care and operation of the sewing machine; enjoy their inthuasinasum and stay in control.