For most homeowners, undertaking home repairs can be a daunting task. This can especially be the case when you consider all the safety precautions that need to be taken into account when working on your property. However, following a few tips can help to make the process easier and safer for you and those around you. Here’s what a certified handyman from Fantastic Services advises on home repair safety precautions:

What precautions should you take when working with ladders?

Ladders are an irreplaceable assistant when you need to access hard-to-reach areas during your home improvement, installation or repair projects. But when your feet are off the ground, you can quickly get tired, feel dizzy, lose balance, and even worse, fall and hurt yourself. Here are some preventative measures you should take when working with ladders:

• Before climbing a ladder, check whether the ropes, rails, pulleys, rung locks or other parts are in good condition.
• Check the instruction manual about how much weight your ladder can hold. To decrease the risk of the ladder breaking and falling down, consider the weight of the tools and materials you will work with.
• When you climb onto a ladder, your tools and materials can divide your attention among the tasks and distract you. The best thing you can do is to fasten a well-organised tool belt with instruments around your waist. This will allow you to carry your tools easily, safely, and efficiently all the time.
• To ensure exceptional support, fix the ladder on a stable, levelled and non-slippery surface. Placing ladders on uneven surfaces is one of the most common mistakes that leads to bruises, broken limbs, and many other injuries.
• Because of the risks of slipping, climbing a ladder is not recommended during harsh weather conditions. If there’s mud, snow, and other wet substances under your feet, always clean them off your boots or from the ground to prevent slips and trips.
• When you use a stepladder, ensure it’s locked into position.
• Look out for corrosion and rust on your ladder. Both weaken the metal and make the ladder unreliable. Not to mention, when rust interacts with the body and your blood, it can cause unpleasant infections (i.e. tetanus).
• When you are climbing, the “3-Point Contact Rule” can save your life. Always climb with a two-hand grip, facing the ladder and try to keep your two feet and one hand on it (or vice versa).
• Don’t stand too close or at the very top of the ladder. You can quickly lose balance and fall off it.
• Set the right angle when you put it up to keep a good balance on the ladder. The “1:4 ratio” rule comes in handy. This means you have to divide the ladder by four. For example, if the ladder is 4m long, the base should be 1 metre away from the wall.
• If the ladder is extra-long, find a friend, neighbour or colleague to help from the other end.

What are the dangers of working with electricity, and how can you avoid them?

High voltage, colossal equipment, exposed electrical parts, improper grounding, and many others are life-threatening dangers that the ordinary homeowner should stay away from. Dealing with electrical problems at home is highly hazardous. It often includes working with live parts, flammable, explosive materials, and various faults, which require professional help from a highly-qualified or certified electrician. To keep your home and health safe, professionals must adhere to the local electrical and building regulations and even beyond them. Also, they can spot any potential electrical hazard earlier and prevent serious injuries connected to a higher supply voltage.

If, however, you are going to cope with some easy electrical tasks or try to keep safe from electrical hazards at home, keep yourself insulated at all times. Remember that electrical risks are more significant when working in wet and/or damp conditions.

Lastly, book an electrical specialist at least once per year to inspect, test, diagnose, and repair (if needed) any potential problem connected to your lighting, electrical appliances, wiring or faults. So, there will be little to no chance of any electrical danger threatening your life.

How important is it to have the correct shoes during home repairs?

When it comes to what to wear during repair works, remodelling or renovation process, the importance of safety shoes is vital. Get waterproof, anti-slip boots with protective toe caps and an anti-penetration layer. Initially, they might be heavy and uncomfortable. But keep in mind that they save lives. They will protect you from unexpectedly falling on heavy or sharp objects.

Being prepared with the proper protective footwear will make you stay focused on your project instead of looking here and there for potential obstacles. Even if their price is comparatively high, consider the footwear purchase a reasonable long-term investment. With a pair of them at home, you can feel safe and look like a professional during every renovation you undertake.

What safety precautions should you take when working with power tools?

Power tools can be hazardous for your health and life when not used properly. Here’s how:

• Before you start doing anything, put safety glasses on your eyes, wear protective attire, and inspect the power tool for damage.
• Devote some comfortable clothes to ensure a smooth repair or DIY process. It’s essential to declutter the floor and keep it dry to avoid slipping dangers or tripping over an object.
• When bringing a power tool with you, keep your fingers away from the start button. Because they operate at high speed, accidents can occur in no time.
• Even if you are impatient to complete your project, never yank the tool by the cord or hose.
• Take extra precautions when you have to work in wet conditions. The power tool should be specially approved for such use.
• Work with double-insulated power tools and plug them into a grounded receptacle when possible.
• Last, keep your tools sharp, clean, well-stored and maintained throughout the years.

Other tips for staying safe while making home repairs

When working on your home renovation project, consider the age of your property. There are always hidden hazards you may not have even heard about. These could be asbestos or lead paint problems. Think about the last time you painted your property. Have you ever tested it for lead and asbestos? If your home was built before 1990, your property might be exposed to these poisonous materials and needs to be checked by a professional. If your home was built a few years ago, you are probably safe.

You might have already re-painted your walls and ceilings since 1990. But the truth is that the lead paint problem can still exist if you have only painted over the old paint. It’s best to consult a professional painter, as the more lead paint stays in your home, the more poisonous it becomes.

Final thoughts

Home repairs are an inevitable part of being a homeowner. The worst is continually fearing that we may seriously hurt ourselves while undertaking home repairs. This common fear stems from the lack of knowledge of how to check and understand what needs repair, how to go about the repairs and how to do it safely. Following this guide will help you safely handle those repairs.