Have respect for the jointer or any tool; visualize what the proceedure
is for each cut; plan ahead to make sure you have ample room to maneuver
the piece going into the cutter and out of the cutter; and finally take
your time - rushing through a final step at the end of a session leads
to more errors and injury than probably anything an inexperienced
woodworker may do to himself. IOW, complacency and impatience are the
real demons of a working safely.


Good advice. I'd add this:

Do think about what kinds of injuries each tool could inflict, and how
you should react to each. Talk this over with anyone else in your household.
You and they should know:

- what to do for a severed bodypart
- how to get to the nearest hospital
- which hospital to go to for which kinds of injuries
- how and when to call 911
- where the main power cutoff switch in the shop is located
- where to find a fire extinguisher
- how to use pressure to stop bleeding
- etc.

For example, your town may have several hospitals, and one may have
an emergency eye care facility, while another specializes in trauma
and a third has a really good hand specialist. It's important to discuss this
stuff ahead of time because that training will kick in if something ever
does happen that requires quick and correct action.

Then, be vigilant to ensure that you never need to use those emergency
plans.

Personally, I also avoid using dangerous machines when I'm the only one
in the house. It's not inconvenient, as I usually have plenty of other
work that involves nothing more hazardous than sandpaper or shellac.