When working on home renovations, the costs can be a bit intimidating. Fortunately, you can stay on budget by doing some projects on your own. Thankfully, we have the internet to help us figure out how to do specific construction projects.
Even though DIY projects online look easy, you should remember that construction is still a dangerous task. As such, you have to exercise caution in everything you do. Make sure that you have a smooth and safe DIY project by getting these essential items.
Safety Gear
The most important thing you need is the proper safety equipment. From head to toe, you have to wear special clothing that can prevent you from injury on the chances that something goes wrong. If you are planning to make big DIY projects like roofs and ceilings would need headgear like helmets as well.
For your heads, a good pair of construction worker gloves are good for two reasons. One is that the thick leather will reduce accidental cuts from sharp objects. The second is that the material is made to have an improved grip. You will not have to worry about sweaty hands accidentally dropping heavy-duty tools or losing your hold on saws.
In the same sense, boots and pants can prevent debris from scratching you. It also ensures that you have some coverage when you accidentally drop a hammer or something on your foot. Being struck by objects is the second most common construction injury, so it’s best to be well-covered.
Your face needs durable safety goggles and a mask as well. The goggles are so that sparks or dust don’t get into your eye while you work. Some chemicals and smoke can also irritate your eyes, so eyewear can prevent this from disturbing you. In some projects, you may need some ventilation masks that keep you from inhaling dust and substances.
Medical Kit
As with everything, a medical kit is important to have on the side. You might need a bit more than the normal household kit. Aside from the usual band-aids, make sure that you have bandages for larger areas. Compress bandages are also useful to have in an emergency.
Your medical kit must also have an abundance of disinfectants and such. Construction equipment isn’t always that clean. Some people still use rusty tools, and this can cause an infection when exposed to open wounds. It will be a good idea to have antibiotics and aspirin on hand to help reduce the pain.
Lastly, make sure that your kit has an emergency contact and a phone when working. Someone should be on standby to call an ambulance if ever something serious occurs. Acting fast can make a lot of difference when we’re talking about construction accidents.
If you experience any cuts from metal blades and such, it is best to go to a hospital. Cuts of any sort have the chance of being infected by tetanus. You need to get shots right away to prevent it from getting worse.
Permit
Certain types of projects need a permit. These are usually technical jobs that involve wiring and plumbing. When changing wiring or pipes, then you will need to secure a permit. Anything that changes the structure of the home would need a permit as well. The main reason is to make sure you follow safe practices. It may seem inconvenient, but problems in areas that need permits are extremely dangerous.
Building sheds and additional structures might also require a permit. This also includes building a garage that has not existed there before. If you get caught building something that requires a permit, you will face serious fines and legal repercussions. Even if you try to sell the property, you will still face problems as it can still be traced back to you.
Renovation Plan
As with any project, it is important that you have all the plans laid out before you start. Even DIY projects need to be strategically done not just for efficiency, but also for safety. Winging it as you go can be a dangerous practice in construction. You might accidentally break something and cause an injury.
Make sure that you know the exact measurements and tasks of your project. There are some projects that cannot be left for another day because it can jeopardize the integrity of your home. One-off measurement or miscalculation could result in serious consequences.
It’s important that you don’t skip out on essential safety items when doing DIY projects. Hospital bills can really hurt your bank account and cause more problems later on. Better to be safe than sorry in construction.
