Safety Tips to Observe When Undertaking an Interior Painting Project

If you are a DIY enthusiast, you may be pretty excited about repainting your home's exterior without professional help. You have likely bought quality paint and invested in paint brushes, a roller and other equipment necessary to guarantee a successful project. However, besides having the right equipment and possessing painting skills, you also need to take proper care. Failure to do this can expose you to risks that can potentially jeopardize your health. So, before embarking on this exciting project, make sure that you have observed the following safety tips to minimize hazards as you paint your home's interior.

Ensure adequate ventilation

Paints that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emit fumes that can cause severe respiratory complications if inhaled. You may also start to experience nausea, headache and dizziness after inhaling the fumes from these solvent paints for an extended period. Since emission of fumes during the project is inevitable, you have to ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the room to allow fresh air into the house. Open all the doors and windows when painting so that the fumes can escape outside. If you notice any lightheadedness, stop working, go outside and relax for a few minutes so that you can intake fresh air and clear the dizziness.

Invest in protective equipment

Just like other DIY projects, you need personal protective equipment that will ensure your safety during the project. First, buy a painter's mask that will protect you from inhaling the dangerous fumes from the solvent paint. You also need protective eyewear that will protect your eyes from the paint fumes and also accidental spills from coming close to the eyes. A hard hat can also come in handy, especially if you don't want to get paint all over your hair or scalp. The ingredients in the paint can irritate a sensitive scalp and cause problems in the future. Finally, wear overalls to protect the rest of the body from paint splashes.

Learn ladder techniques

Unless you have a very long roller, you may need to use a roller to access areas such as the ceiling and high parts of the wall. In this case, a ladder will ease the work. Before climbing on one, make sure that you know how to use it correctly to avoid fall accidents. Make sure that it is placed on a stable ground. Also, as you climb to the top, don't reach too far beyond the ladder as this will cause it to wobble and fall. Invest in a long roller that will help you access hard-to-reach areas while on the ladder.

DIY interior painting requires proper care and safety. Consider hiring a professional painting contractor to achieve a clean job and avoid health hazards and injuries that are associated with DIY painting projects.


Share