I agree that taking care of your eyes, ears and lungs is very important. I have partial hearing loss for over 25 years ago running saws nonstop just out of high school back when hearing protection wasn't a big thing. If I had to go back and slap myself to make a change in my life, that would rank up in my top 3. Today I keep multiple sets of hearing muffs on the truck and a good sized box of cheap foam plugs for others who may want them. Same goes with quality dust masks and safety glasses. The one on the truck aren't for me, they are for others who may need them.
It's critical you wear eye and ear protection doing this stuff ALL the time. A respirator is another important safety item to get in the habit of using, not only when welding, but also cutting and grinding. One thing you may have to look at is if the respirator fits you right. They make these in Small, Medium and Large sizes. Most will fit in a Medium or Large as an adult, but depending on where you are in your growth cycle, you may need to find a Small to fit you well. It depends a lot on your face size and shape, not how big you are. Many places don't stock respirators in Small due to the limited number of people who fit them. If nothing else get a Medium as you'll probably grow into it fairly quickly.
