I don't wear belts and haven't since early college. I read several things back then that basically said belts are worthless because they don't limit motion enough and a very large percentage of ppl don't wear them correctly. I am not an expert, but the only time since I have hurt anything doing deadlift or squats was tweaking a nerve in my back, not messing up any back muscles.
Focus on your form and hit lighter weights with higher reps for a while until your form is unquestionably good. Then start moving up in weight.
Also, some stuff I read a couple weeks ago said that shoes are super important. Many ppl wear running shoes or basketball shoes. The article said that a thickened sole is a pretty bad thing. It makes you over reach on your down side and also slants your body weight forward, both evidently put you at a higher risk of messing up your back or legs. It said to get lift shoes or DL barefoot. I use running shoes because I am not going to go barefoot or take multiple shoes to the Y with me, but I don't do crazy weight. I do higher reps as a component of a greater complex.