Renovating your home can be a rewarding undertaking, both personally and financially. It is a chance to enjoy an updated home while also adding value to one of your most significant assets. Before you break out your construction tools, however, it is important to think about safety. The following tips will enable you to stay safe and ensure a successful project whenever you renovate your home.
1) Get The Right PPE
Personal protective equipment is a staple of professional job sites. You should be using similar equipment at home. While you don’t necessarily need to follow OSHA requirements, it is a good idea to wear appropriate clothing and protection.
For example, if you are doing anything with fine particles, you need to be wearing safety goggles or glasses. This includes drilling, spraying, sawing and other similar tasks.
Similarly, you should be wearing ear protection when using noisy power tools. It doesn’t take much to damage your hearing. Don’t permanently harm your ears over a renovation project.
Of course, you should also be wearing closed-toed shoes, long pants and shirt sleeves. Wear work gloves when appropriate. However, don’t wear gloves when using any rotating power tools.
2) Set Up a Safe Workspace
One of the most common errors DIYers make is failing to ensure proper ventilation. If you are doing work that involves dust, fine particles, fumes or anything else you can breathe in, make sure you are wearing a respirator and ventilating the room. Again, no home renovation project is worth harming yourself over. With the right equipment, you can stay safe and run a successful project.
When possible, it is a good idea to work on your project outside. For example, if you need to spray paint something or cut some wood, it is better to do so outside. This will help prevent a mess inside your house and will ensure better ventilation.
If you are climbing a ladder or otherwise elevated while working, make sure you have a level and stable surface. Take the time to clean up the floor before using a ladder if necessary.
3) Use the Right Tools
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is a common error. Always use the right construction tools for your project.
Many DIYers find themselves without the right equipment for the task at home. Rather than buying or renting the right item, they improvise. This can result in failed projects and injuries.
You don’t necessarily need to own every fancy tool that the pros use. However, it is worth investing in the proper equipment for the job. Your results will be better, and you will be safer.
4) Know the Codes
Building codes exist for a reason. Not only are they the law, but they also help ensure that homes and structures are safe to inhabit. It pays to know the building codes and plan your project accordingly.
Keep in mind that your home may not be up to current codes, especially if it is older. You may have to update the area of the home you are renovating just to meet building codes. Check with your local safety codes to ensure compliance.
5) Think About Your Family
If you live with other people, especially if you have young kids, be very careful about their safety. As much as possible, try to block off the areas where you are working. It is also a good idea to have a conversation with children about safety. Even very young ones can get the basic idea.
Additionally, make sure you are cleaning up your workspaces whenever you move on. If you have any power tools plugged in, take a moment to unplug them before leaving an area (for example, if you have a table saw set up outside). These basic precautions can make all the difference.
In some cases, it makes sense to move out temporarily during a renovation. This is only applicable during major projects. However, it is worth considering if you think safety is an issue.
6) Clean Up
Do a thorough cleaning once you are done. Obviously, you need to clean up your tools and supplies. However, it is a good idea to go beyond that.
For example, you may want to switch the air filters on your HVAC. All the dust you created is likely stuck in there. A thorough cleaning of the project area is also a good idea. Sometimes nails, staples and other hazards fall into hard to reach places to be discovered by curious children and pets.
Get the Equipment You Need
From construction tools to protective gear, you need the right equipment if you are going to have a safe and successful home renovation project. Check out the Engineer Supply catalogue to find everything you need. It pays to prepare properly. With the above tips and Engineer Supply’s products, you will be ready to perform some DIY magic.
