Using your Estwing framing hammer is easy. Just hold it firmly by the blue shock - reducing grip. The milled face is great for driving nails into wood, providing good traction. When using it, make sure to keep your hand steady and aim accurately at the nail head. As for safety, always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from any flying debris. Don't use the hammer if it's damaged or has any visible cracks. To maintain your hammer, wipe it down with a dry cloth after each use to keep it clean. If it gets rusty, you can use a light abrasive to remove the rust and then apply a thin layer of oil to prevent future rusting. Store it in a dry place to keep it in top condition for a long time.