3 Important Safety Tips to Remember When You Remodel
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Home renovations can be exciting. It’s a chance to freshen things up, make some improvements, and add value to your dwelling. Unfortunately, remodeling can also lead to headaches and frustration if you don’t take proper precautions. This is especially true when doing the work yourself, but safety measures should be taken when hiring professionals as well. Here are three important safety tips to remember when you remodel. You’ll save time, money, and potential pain by following them.
Be Sure to Plan and Prepare
Before diving headfirst into a remodeling project, you’ll want to take time to plan and prepare. Reading instructions or watching videos about the work you have planned will ensure you know what’s involved in the job, as well as what materials you’ll need so that you can safely and properly do the job. This is also your opportunity to assess whether you feel capable of taking on the work yourself or if it might be best to hire a professional. While it’s great to try new things and can be satisfying to complete a project on your own, you don’t want to get in over your head. Doing so could be costly and dangerous.
It’s particularly important that you understand the instructions for operating potentially dangerous equipment. In addition, having a first aid kit ready and nearby is another preparedness tip when it comes to staying safe while remodeling. Stock it with bandages, disinfectant spray, burn ointment and gauze, for starters.
Use the Proper Tools for High Spots
Reaching the high places during your renovation project can be particularly tricky and requires special care in order to stay safe. You need to be sure you use quality ladders or scaffolding when working up high. You’ll also want to be sure to have someone else with you to hold the ladder steady and to provide a spotter for you. Put your ladder on a flat area on the floor or ground and make sure it sits evenly so that it’s balanced.
When it comes to using a scaffold set, be sure that all parts are included and that you understand the instructions for putting it together. Most kits come with frames, cross braces, coupling pins, and spring clips. You’ll want to look for sets that are constructed of steel that is not recycled to get the best in durability. Recycled steel contains rust, which can lead to weakness. Be wary of bargain prices. Your safety is worth the investment in a quality product. Also worth noting is that it often makes sense to buy a scaffold set because it’s easier and less expensive than buying individual pieces. In addition, you’re sure to have most of the parts you need, saving you time and hassle. You’ll just need to pick up a few extra things like boards and screw jacks.
Have the Right Gear
Most remodeling projects require some sort of gear in order to get the job done. Taking time to make sure you have the right accessories will help to ensure you finish the project safely and more efficiently. Something you might not have considered is what type of clothing you might need for your project. Closed-toed shoes are often necessary to avoid injury should you drop something. Long sleeves and pants will cover your extremities to help avoid scratches and burns.
You may also need work gloves and headgear for added protection for most work you will take on. Safety goggles keep shards, slivers, or other debris from getting into your eyes. Noise-canceling earplugs or earmuffs are essential for work that involves loud power tools.
You’ll also want to take some time to assess the condition of your tools. Making sure your gear is in good shape is crucial to maintaining safety. For simple tools, a visual inspection will probably do. When it comes to power tools, you’ll want to look them over and take a moment to plug them in. Just a quick assessment can prevent possible injury.
These are just some of the more important safety tips to remember when you remodel. Investing the time and effort to prepare ahead of time will provide you with peace of mind and quality work experience.
