Safety Reminder- Jack Stands

[joe176]

Please never take for granted when your car is on jackstands...double check that the car is sitting solid. My landlord who restores Studebakers was killed in the shop next to mine today when the car he was restoring fell on him. He was working alone and was not found in time to save him.

[Geerhead55]

Sorry to hear the bad news. You make an excellent point however,,,always make sure everything is right before you go under that vehicle. We've all heard or seen of people that used blocks of wood,,a bumper jack or worse, then climbing under a vehicle and taking an unnecessary risk. Most get away clean,, but too many aren't so lucky. How often do you see a car warming up in the pits with no one in the seat? Not often,,but it should never happen,,especially if the drive tires are up on stands and spinning! I know,,,, its common sense, but every once in a while you still see idiots doing this.
Never hesitate to instill a little safety in someone who needs a little guidance,, espcially younger drivers and friends who think they know it all. Remember how we thought when we were in our "invincible" years. Once again,, sorry for what happened to this gentleman,,,my condolences to his family and friends.
Danny Durham

[Geddes]

Question to all:

Does your wife, husband or child know how to quickly operate your floor jack? No not assume the handle turning, etc is known by all. Worst scenario.........we DO have an accident in the shop and the car can't be lifted off of us quickly.

I have demonstrated this to all is my household. Make it a point to do the same soon.

[Travis Miller]

Excellent safety reminder. You need to think about it seriously when you are out in your "man-cave" all alone late at night working under your car. Everyone in the house is asleep. If the car was to fall on you no one would find you till the next morning. The safety part is up to you and only you.

Travis

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

[Dick Butler]

I always leave the Jack in position also. Just added security. Sorry for the loss of your neighbor.
Dick Butler

[John Warehime]

Sorry to hear the bad news. This is one of my oldest fears. I see racers warming up cars on jacks with no stands at almost every race. We need to remind ourselves to take every effort to practice good safety habbits. I bought a nice pair of stands designed for dirt and gravel surfaces.Gravity does not care how many races you've won, how smart you are, or how many records you hold. This man's family has suffered an avoidable loss.

[treessavoy]

That is so sad. My condolences to the family.

I have actually seen people in the pits (non-hra race) just using the jack to warm up the car.

Buy some good, strong jack stands, not the Kmart specials and leave the jack under the car.

Jim

[Chris DeGidio]

I'll second the thought on quality jack stands.Buy the best you can get and make sure they are rated well above what you are supporting.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

[Gary Smith]

My son Andrew has become very anal when it comes to jacking up cars after a pit incident I had not long ago. While jacking the car up on un-even ground Andrew started shouting at "stubborn ol' dad" that the car is unstable and should be moved forward to a flatter surface although I felt the car was plenty secure....until it fell off the stands... I guess your kids know best sometimes.

That is a real shame about your neighbor. There's no doubt that tragedy that won't escape your mind and will most likely keep you up many nights, for a long time.

[bobby]

Sorry to hear about your neighbor.


One thing I learned when placing a vehicle on jack stands is to leave the jack under it but down about 1/2 inch. without anyone under the car, stand next to it and shake it back and forth. This will settle the vehicle on the stands and if it's going to fall off, it will do so before you go underneath it.