 |
| Is your home remodeling idea safe from toxic chemical exposure? |
Contributor-Writer
Renovating your home can be an exciting project. Many do-it-yourselfers relish the chance to try their hand at a new renovation, whether it is a simple task like repainting or a challenge like replacing hardwood floors or redoing a bathroom. However, with each new project come risks, especially if you are remodeling an older home. No matter how great is your home remodeling idea, dangers lurk in the old construction materials, like asbestos or lead paint. Following a few safety rules while you transform your home can help safeguard your family's health.
The most fundamental safety rule as an important home remodeling idea is to keep small children and family pets away from renovation projects. Aside from the safety hazards that tools and chemicals such as paint thinner present, your child or pet may inadvertently become exposed to hazards from the materials you are covering or removing. According to the Office of Children's Health Protection at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, children are more at risk from exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials than adults because they have a lower body weight and they are less scrupulous about ingesting foreign substances and hand washing. Keeping them out of the area where you are working can prevent toxic exposure to hazards like asbestos, which may contribute to cancer like mesothelioma down the road.
