Grasp the hammer by the base — not the neck — and tap gently a few times to set the nail and to make absolutely sure it’s where you want it. Once it’s in place, draw your hand back and hammer the nail in as deeply as is required. Remember that some surfaces may require some pre-drilling to help guide the nail and avoid damaging the material receiving it. Although it’s unlikely you’ll sustain an eye injury when nailing, you should still wear goggles or glasses. Nails are sharp and they can pop out violently when struck improperly.

For more detail on how to properly hold the hammer and strike the nail, see the Tutorial Hammer Tips - Nail Striking.