Maintaining a nice, good looking home is not a hard task to do if you do it the right way. It all depends on how timely you are in repairing simple wear and tear, repainting, pest control, checking electrical wiring for damage, and changing/replacing worn-out items for both the exterior and the interior of the home. On the exterior of the house, one can perform easy tasks on their own. These tasks do not require experts and could also save you money.
While doing these minor repairs, there is the need to always exercise proper safety measures to avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital. Some of the tasks will require you to use ladders and tools like hammers, nails and even drills. Other tasks will involve the use of chemicals, paints, thinners or pesticides.
There are general precautions on how to stay safe while working on the exterior of your home, and below are some of them:
1. Use Personal Protection Equipment
Personal protection equipment includes things like gloves, goggles, masks, proper shoes, a helmet and support belts for those who intend to use a ladder. Your attire will depend completely on the kind of repairs you intend to carry out. These pieces of equipment are of ultimate importance to ensure your safety while carrying out repairs.
A good example is when you intend to paint the exterior of your home. When in contact with your skin or inhaled, chemicals in paints and paint thinners can easily cause irritations or even make it hard for you to breath. Therefore, while doing a paint job, one will need to cover their body entirely to avoid sensitive areas.
2. Safety With Ladders
Ladders come in handy when we need to clean windows, get to the roof, fix bricks, saw tree branches, etc. A lot of caution is required, as a fall could lead to sprains, broken bones, or even worse, a life threatening situation. Before climbing a ladder, you must secure it and if possible, use safety ropes on yourself just in case the ladder falls or malfunctions. You can have a family member or friend watch it while you climb to make sure it’s secure. If you need to rent towers or other equipment in the UK, click around our site and contact us.
3. Electricity
Usually, there is not much to do when it comes to electricity, since it should be handled by a professional. However, there is no need to call an electrician to do simple tasks, like changing light bulbs. Light bulbs burn out all the time, which means you might have to change them regularly. Observe the general guidelines about handling electricity and you will be safe. Switch off the electric before you change a bulb. Always make sure to do it with dry hands and if changing an outside bulb, use a pair of safety gloves as extra insurance.
4. Tools
Always use the right tools for the job and focus on doing one task at a time. This means using only one tool at a time, unless you have another person helping you. Make sure to follow instructions for the use of every tool until you’re familiar with them. This minimizes the risk of injuries while making repairs by 30%.
5. Chemicals
Using the right kind of protective gear can shield you from harmful, hazardous chemicals. This will save you from a lot of pain and hefty hospital bills in the long run. If you’re going to be working with especially harmful chemicals, make sure to wear a gas mask and clothing that is disposable, if need be.
Summary
If you feel that you require an expert to perform a particular task that is beyond your capability or understanding, it is probably the right call to involve one. Do not attempt to repair anything that is beyond a normal task without an expert. We also do construction equipment rentals in Kingston Upon Hill.
Always make sure you have the right clothing, tools and general knowledge of the task you wish to take on. Practicing good safety measures should be your number one priority and in the end, you will be rewarded with your health AND a job well done.