Times are tough for many people in the United States.
In some cases, individuals cannot afford to buy new clothing, go to the movies, or travel on a family vacation.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the costs associated with hiring a professional painting company are much too high for individuals living in these difficult financial times.
Instead, many people choose to paint the interior-and sometimes even exterior-of their homes themselves.
To ensure optimal results when it comes to this process, following basic safety tips is a must.
Using caution with a ladder, spray equipment, and avoiding paint fumes when possible is essential for those who want to maintain safety while painting their house.
Ladder Safety When it comes to maintaining safety while painting a house, understanding the proper use of a ladder is crucial.
For starters, do-it-yourself painters should be sure to look for a ladder that is sturdy, well constructed, and features rubber "feet" designed to prevent slips and falls.
Using caution when standing on a ladder is also important for painters who wish to prevent potential injury.
Keeping a three-point stance while painting-where at least two feet and one hand is in contact with the ladder at all times-is considered by many experts to be ideal way to position oneself on this type of device.
Finally, moving the ladder at regular intervals, instead of stretching to reach difficult spots, can significantly decrease the risks of falls from heights while participating in this activity.
Spray Equipment Safety While many home painters rely on the use of rollers and paintbrushes to complete their task, others prefer spray-painting equipment.
And while spray-painting can often make the job go faster, it does pose many risks to individuals who are unfamiliar with the activity.
For example, commercial-grade spray-painting equipment delivers the product with extreme velocity-which can severely damage skin and even the underlying organs if it comes in contact with bodily tissue at close range.
Wearing protective gear, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, and keeping the safety lock on spray painting equipment when it is not in use can significant decrease the rates at which these types of injuries may occur.
People who do receive this type of injury should seek medical attention at once to avoid possible complications.
Avoiding Paint Fumes Finally, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, avoiding fumes whenever possible is a must for individuals who plan to paint their home.
While latex and oil-based paints are most commonly associated with toxic fumes, even water-based products can release some vapors.
People who plan to paint for an extended period of time should be sure to open windows, turn on fans, or use other forms of ventilation to avoid the inhalation of said fumes.
Wearing a respirator or other type of face mask may be ideal for those who plan to use spray-painting equipment, or are concerned about the amount of ventilation in the facility in which they are working.