By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Choose the right tool for the job. Using your pliers as a hammer may not only damage the tool but could cause you injury.
Step2
Use good quality tools and inspect them for defects before using them. Replace worn or defective tools.
Step3
Maintain your tools. Oil your pliers and wire cutters with a drop of oil on the hinge. Be sure that the jaws are clean and the teeth are sharp. Worn or greasy jaws are more likely to slip.
Step4
Never stick your fingers between the grips and always keep your wrist straight when using pliers.
Step5
Protect your tools from extreme heat, which can expand the metal and cause dangerous structural problems.