Whenever you are engaged in any kind of home DIY work, Safety First has to be the name of the game. We know that instinctively, and yet we all too often overlook its importance when it comes to painting. While paint may seem like an innocuous substance, under the wrong conditions it could prove hazardous, and that’s not even getting into how your health and safety could be jeopardized by failing to follow proper safety protocols.
Let’s take a closer look at what those safety considerations should be, and how you can make sure your DIY painting project proceeds without incident or injury.
Only Paint in Ventilated Spaces
To begin with, it must be stressed that you should only ever paint in spaces that are well-ventilated. From the second you open a fresh can of paint, the smell of fumes coming off of it is likely to be strong. Even if you don’t mind the odor, however, the fumes can be hazardous if you breathe in an excess amount of them. There’s no real health hazard as long as there’s ventilation to keep you from breathing in too much in a short period of time.
If you do inhale too much, however, it can be extremely hazardous, leading to severe headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Keep Away From Heat
In addition to the problems it can pose when inhaled, paint is also flammable. You thus need to make sure you keep it away from any sources of heat.
In a broader sense, you should keep paint in a temperate, climate-controlled area.
Be Careful with Ladders
If you are painting the topmost parts of walls or your ceiling, you’ll likely need a ladder to help get the job done. When painting atop a ladder, you naturally need to make sure that it is secure against the wall. That means making sure that there is nothing between your ladder and the wall. Placing a paint can or something else in the space between the two could cause the ladder to slip free as you lean forward and apply pressure to it, causing it and you to fall.
Cover Floors and Outlets
You don’t want a paint job to become a mess, so make sure that your carpeting, flooring, and any exposed furniture is completely covered by a tarp or something similar. You don’t want any paint getting into electrical sockets, as this can clog them up and present another safety hazard, so make sure these are completely covered as well.
Wear the Right Gear
Last but not least, many painters choose to wear goggles, masks, or both while painting. This is especially true if you are painting in an enclosed area or you are using a sprayer. The latter of these can spray paint at high speeds, making it that much more important to ensure your eyes are protected from potential splatter.
By following these simple safety rules, you can paint any interior space with the confidence of knowing that your home is prepped and you are well protected.