Roof gutter scare made me a ladder stabilizer believer.
My ladder slid while I was cleaning the roof gutters. I got a stabilizer bar, and now I won't work without it. What safety item changed your mind after a close call?
Forgot my safety glasses one time and caught a piece of wood right in the eye. Always thought they were pointless until that moment. @ivanross, your question reminds me how dumb I used to be about gear. Now I wear them even for quick jobs, looking like a lab tech but keeping my vision.