Giving your home a makeover? Make sure you follow these safety tips

August 7, 2015 Guest Post

It’s a new year and you’re looking to make some changes. You don’t want to be the dull, old, boring you anymore. You’re tired of the monotonous and you want to feel like this New Year is going to bring some respite to your dreary life. Why not start with a makeover? Not for you, silly. For your house! Trust me—if you change the settings of the house you live in, it makes for a different and possibly more conducive environment. But I’m here to give you some practical advice. Don’t just jump into it. There are some safety tips that you should follow that all us DIY project enthusiasts usually don’t care about when we get really excited about home makeovers. These tips should not be ignored and must be followed while making the changes, because as exciting as change may be, safety does come first. Here they are:

1.Fixing that furniture
So your furniture has become old and dull looking. You want to use some finishing products to revive it and make it look like its old self. Be careful though. Some finishing products can be harmful to your lungs, skin and eyes. Be sure to wear protective eye wear, a nice pair of painter’s gloves and a good respirator to protect yourself from the harm that can easily be avoided.

2.Powering those tools
Any DIY project can require power tools like saws or sanders. But usually, we don’t think about our ears and eyes while using them. It is important to wear disposable ear plugs because of the irritatingly high noise levels that power tools have a tendency to create. Also, protective eye wear is a must. Also, remember to never leave active power tools unattended. Unplug them after using and keep them away from children.

Credits: http://anchormarineservices.in/images/products/tools/4.jpg

3.Walking under ladders
I’m not talking about the superstition here, but ladders are the main cause of most DIY accidents. Remember to erect the ladders as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t lean too much to one side because that will cause the ladder to tip over. Be careful otherwise you could lose your balance and end up really hurting yourself.

4.Be careful while repainting
It might seem like an easy job. Removing old paint and coloring your walls with all sorts of new, exciting paints. But old paints have an evil underbelly—No, really. Old paints contain asbestos which is not only harmful for you but is also extremely harmful for the environment. Wear protective clothing—gloves, eye-wear, respirator, the works. Keep the room ventilated. Also, contact your local environment department on advice on how to best dispose of this material without hurting Mother Nature.

5.The right attire
So you’re doing odd jobs around the house. Fixing something here, painting something there. The usual. It’s not like someone’s going to come and judge your fashion sense. Clothing doesn’t matter, right? Wrong. When using power tools, especially, which is required in more DIY projects, you need to wear tight fitting clothing which has the least chance of getting snagged on a drill or a nail.

6.Planning is important
Rush jobs don’t just look bad, they can also get you injured. It’s important that you meticulously plan out your DIY home makeover. There is very little margin for error. When in doubt, it’s always good to hire a professional. If you’re looking to replace your doors or windows, Champion provides free, in-home consultations. It’s a good place to start.

It’s good to be enthusiastic because, let’s face it, DIY projects are super fun. But between all of that, it’s very important to follow safety procedures every step of the way. You don’t want to end up injuring yourself or those around you in situations that can be easily avoided. Follow this list through and you’re good to go!