It may seem harmless enough, I mean how can painting a room or exterior be dangerous? The fact is, most of the time there are very few risks involved in this common task.
However, that doesn’t mean that there are no risks at all.
Just like with anything in life, there are things that can go wrong when you decide to paint an area, and those things can be prevented with a little bit of preparation.
From fumes, to reaching high places, to potential toxins that could come in contact with your skin, there is plenty to protect yourself from when it comes to the seemingly mundane task of painting.
Don’t scoff at the idea that you could be hurting yourself, or the people that you love and care about, simply because you have a preconceived notion that painting is simple and therefore not dangerous.
The following covers some of the risks that are involved, as well as steps that can be taken to prevent problems from happening.
Precautions Before You Even Buy the Paint
The first thing you should be aware of is if you are sensitive or even allergic to various chemicals and toxins. You need to know that if you breathe something in, or have it contact your skin, you could be in danger.
Also, plan out the area that you are going to paint. Do you need a ladder? Possibly even a scaffold? Planning ahead and getting the items you need now will prevent you from convincing yourself it’s not worth the trip later.
Go for Low or No VOC Paints
VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound. This is a type of chemical that’s also found in glue, gasoline and air fresheners.
There are different types of paints that you can use to paint a room. If you can help it, you should always choose the ones that are low on VOC or even the ones that don’t have it at all.
When you use certain types of paint, such as oil-based ones, it emits VOCs. This is dangerous because they can lead to headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
Plus, long exposure to some types of indoor VOCs has been associated with health issues that are even more serious, such as cancer and kidney disease.
Wear a Mask and Cover Your Skin
Sensitive or not, it’s important to always protect your nose and mouth from any fumes. Anyone who inhales too much of them is prone to start feeling light-headed.
We’re not talking about just any kind of mask either. Go for the ones that are specifically designed for painting, with ventilation and a filter. Safety goggles are also an excellent idea.
Moreover, make sure to protect your skin. Wear pants, long sleeves, and gloves. By doing so, you avoid any chemical absorption through the skin.
Keep the Room Ventilated
If you keep the room closed, the paint fumes will start to build up and inevitably you’ll start feeling dizzy. This is not an ideal situation for anyone!
Keep the windows and doors open to make sure that the air flows, and that you and your family are not breathing in the chemicals. If you have a fan, use that as well.
Even after you’re done, it’s important to keep the windows open and the fan on for a little while in order to allow the fumes to exit the room.
Avoid Drinking or Eating While You Paint
It’s not a good idea to have food or drinks in the room that you are painting, even if it’s early in the morning and you need that last cup of coffee. Chemicals that are in the air can easily absorb into the food and drinks that you are taking in.
If you feel like you need to eat or get something to drink, it’s best to just take a break and head to a different room, or even a cozy spot outside as a better option.
Once you have painted for a while, you should also clean off any paint residue that you have on your body or clothing. The last thing you want to do is contaminate your food with the toxins found in some paints.
Don’t Paint for Too Long
As much as you ventilate the room and protect yourself from absorbing any chemicals, the paint fumes will still be in the air.
So, it’s best if you don’t do it for too long in one sitting and take a break for a few days in between painting sessions.
Taking breaks every 15 to 20 minutes to take a breath of fresh air is a good technique. Furthermore, if you start feeling dizzy or ill, you should leave the room immediately.
Don’t Scrap or Sand Old Paint
Back in the 70s, a lot of rooms were painted with lead-based paints.
Lead is a type of metal that can be very dangerous, particularly for young children and pregnant women. According to the World Health Organization, lead can negatively affect many different organs in your body in a very bad way if you are overexposed. This includes damaging effects on your nervous system as well.
With that in mind, don’t scrape or sand any paint in the room. You risk the chance of harmful flakes entering your lungs, which can affect your health.
Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard
As much as you want to crack that can open and paint the entire house, you need to remember that your family’s health, as well as your own, should always be first.
If following these safety steps isn’t an option for you, get the job done by professionals and stay away from the room while they do it. They will already have all the equipment they need, have the training on safety measures to take, and will do an amazing job of making your room or exterior look the way you want, and to do so safely.
If you do decide to go for this option, we’d love to give you a free quote. Get in touch with us today!