From experience, it pays to be safe when renovating. We recently found that one of our renovations had accidently disturbed asbestos in the walls but because we had bought professional masks and sealed off the room our exposure was minimal. Here are some important rules to follow when renovating:

** The time and money spent doing these things could be invaluable **

Wear a good mask
If you are doing any work that produces dust, might expose insulation, or could release fumes into the air make sure you are always wearing a PROFESSIONAL mask. Cheap paper masks do nothing. Buy a good $60 mask from Home Depot and it could prevent you from developing serious health risks.

Wear goggles
If you are cutting wood, working with nail guns or any tool that produces sparks always wear protective goggles. Eye glasses are not sufficient. Don’t take your eyes for granted.

Wear proper clothing
As a general rule of thumb it’s always best to wear long sleeved shirts and pants when renovating. This prevents any chemicals or materials from touching your skin and causing rashes or other health problems. You might want to invest in some coveralls. After you have finished working, wash your clothing seperately from the other laundry.

Seal off area being renovated
Remove furniture, window coverings and rugs in areas where you will be renovating. Seal off openings with plastic sheets. Put newspaper in heating ducts and cover with plastic. You are not just protecting the rest of your house by doing this, you are also protecting yourself. Dust and fibres can get into heating systems and fabrics and cause serious health problems.

When doing the following tasks, take precaution:

Removing Paint - Lead
Some older houses contain lead paint. If you apply chemical stripper or sand lead paint it will release toxic fumes into the air. Always test paint using a lead testing kit from any paint store. If you have lead paint DO NOT REMOVE it, call a professional.

Removing/Puncturing Walls or Ceilings - Asbestos
If you live in a house built before 1985 you need to be aware that there is a good chance your insulation could contain asbestos. Even if this insulation is just in your attic, the asbestos fibres can fall down into the walls and any renovation can expose the fibres. You should always have your insulation chemically tested before starting any renovation. If it contains asbestos then the best thing to do is DO NOT disturb it, or in other words do not renovate.

Paint Stripper and Varnish - Toxic chemicals
Paint stripper and varnish contain toxic chemicals. Make sure you use them in a well ventilated area and ideally wear a professional chemical mask when using these materials. Gloves are also a must.

Building a fence or deck with Pressure Treated Wood - chemicals
This type of wood contains chemicals that can cause rashes or other health problems. Always wear a mask and goggles when cutting or sanding wood and gloves when handling it.

This is not a complete list by any means but just a reminder to think about safety when doing any type of renovation, big or small. Please comment with your renovation safety tips!

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