Building and renovating your home safely - part 3

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​In our 2 previous articles Do not hurt yourself while renovating or building your home. Safety tips. and Safety tips when renovating or building a house - part 2
we discussed many tips to ensure that you do not hurt yourself or anyone else while renovating or building your home. In this final instalment we consider more tips to working safely.

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​More safety tips:

• Always take precautions when working with flammable products.
• Read mixing and application instructions carefully.
• Never work in totally enclosed spaces, especially when using solvents, glues, chemicals and paints that give off noxious fumes, or when using petrol and diesel equipment, or when using gas.
• You shouldn’t work alone. If something happens to you, or there’s an accident, you could lie undetected for hours without help.
• Take care when lifting and moving heavy objects. Keep fingers and toes out of harm’s way and ensure that you use proper lifting techniques. Injured and strained backs are a major cause of construction related injuries.
• Never attempt work that you aren’t licensed to do, such as working on gas pipes and electrical installations.
• Always have a properly equipped first-aid kit at hand, a fire-extinguisher, and have a mobile phone handy with the numbers of the emergency services. Accidents happen easily.
• Take care when doing any work that generates sparks. Sparks can easily set fire to construction materials and surrounding vegetation. Sparks can also injure you and others in the vicinity. Sparks can damage materials, especially glass and floor and wall tiles – you won’t be the first person to have damaged newly installed windows and floor and wall tiles.
• Never work in deep excavations with vertical sides that reach above your head. There are numerous cases where the sides of trenches collapsed on workers below, burying them alive – unfortunately in most cases the people never escaped alive.

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

​Accidents happen quickly, and often when you least expect them. Injuries can be devastating and can change your life in an instant. Don’t take chances to save a few thousand dollars, the end result could cost lots more. Plan all work carefully, taking account of the possible risks.

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​This article is adapted from Paul Netscher's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses; Vol 1'
Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.