DIY construction projects can be an exciting way to put your skills to use and improve your home’s functionality or appearance. Whether you’re new to DIY or have experience with these types of projects, it’s always important to make sure you’re safe. When doing DIY construction projects, keep these safety tips in mind at all times.
Get Rid of Tripping Hazards
Cords, materials and other items can put you at risk of tripping and falling as you’re moving around doing construction work. This can lead to serious injuries if you’re not careful, especially if you’re not wearing any personal protective equipment. While you’re working on your DIY construction project, eliminate any tripping hazards that are around. You should also check your work sites beforehand to get rid of any items you might trip on.
Ventilate Rooms When Needed
If your DIY construction project involves painting or similar tasks, make sure the room or area is well-ventilated. Otherwise, harmful fumes can build up in these rooms and lead to health issues. Open windows up and use ceiling and portable fans for ventilation during these projects.
Use Plenty of Lighting
Doing DIY projects in dim or dark areas can increase your risk of injuries. You should make sure each area you’re working in has plenty of bright lighting, so you can easily see what you’re doing. Bring in lamps if needed to provide more illumination in darker or poorly lit areas of your home.
Protect Your Body
Gloves, goggles and other personal protective equipment (PPE) helps keep you safe from hazards you might face while doing DIY construction. For example, goggles prevent materials from flying into your eyes when you’re drilling or sawing. You should always wear PPE when tackling construction projects on your own.
Keep Your Surroundings Safe
If you’ll have kids or pets at home during DIY construction, make sure they’re far from the areas you’ll be working in. This helps reduce injuries while also preventing you from getting distracted when handling power tools or doing other potentially hazardous tasks. You should also unplug power tools when you’re not using them, and turn off the main power supply to your home when you’ll be doing any kind of electrical work.
Know When to Stop
One of the most important safety tips for DIY construction is knowing when you should stop for the day. No matter what kind of project you’re doing, stop when you’re feeling tired. Otherwise, you could end up making mistakes that can lead to injuries or damage to your house.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
