Key takeaways
- Safety preparation before a renovation starts is what prevents injuries, code violations and costly mistakes throughout the rest of the project.
- Dust and chemical fumes are the two biggest health hazards during a renovation, and both require active management from start to finish.
- The cleanup after a renovation is just as important as the work itself, because dust, debris and contaminated air filters will continue to affect your home's air quality and safety long after the project is done.
A renovation can make your home more functional, more comfortable and more valuable. It can also expose you to hazards that range from minor irritations to serious health risks if you do not take the right precautions.
Whether you are remodeling a kitchen, updating a bathroom or transforming a backyard, safety should be part of the plan from the first day of demolition to the last day of cleanup. Here is what to keep in mind at every stage.
Before the work begins
The time to think about safety is before you pick up a tool or a paintbrush, not after something goes wrong. Preparation takes an hour or two at most and can prevent injuries, code violations and costly mistakes.
Wear the right clothing. If you are spray painting, applying mold removal products or applying herbicides, cover yourself from head to toe. Wear closed-toe shoes with socks, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves. Exposed skin absorbs chemicals and is vulnerable to splashes, debris and abrasions.
Protect your hearing. Demolition, power saws, drills and grinders produce noise levels that can cause permanent hearing damage with sustained exposure. Wear earplugs or over-ear hearing protection whenever power tools or impact work are involved.
Wear eye protection. Safety goggles or glasses are not optional when you are drilling, sawing, spraying or working with materials that produce dust or fragments. A single wood chip or drywall particle in the eye can cause serious damage.
Use ladders correctly. Follow the 4-to-1 rule. For every four feet of ladder height, the base should be one foot away from the wall or surface it is leaning against, creating approximately a 75-degree angle. Never stand higher than the third step from the top. Always have someone spotting you when you climb. Falls from ladders are one of the most common causes of injury during home improvement projects.
Confirm permits and codes. Renovations frequently require permits and must meet local building codes, particularly in older homes where existing wiring, plumbing or structural elements may not meet current standards. Check with your city or county building department before you begin. Starting work without the required permits can result in fines, forced removal of completed work and complications when you try to sell the home. If you have hired an architect or a contractor, confirm that they have pulled the necessary permits. If you are doing the work yourself, the responsibility falls on you.
During the renovation
Once the project is underway, it is easy to get caught up in the work and cut corners on safety. That is when most injuries happen. Keep these precautions in place for the duration of the project.
Maintain good ventilation. If you are painting indoors, open windows and doors or set up fans to move air through the space. House paints contain volatile organic compounds, commonly referred to as VOCs, that release gasses as the paint dries. These fumes can quickly cause headaches, dizziness and irritation of the lungs and airways. The effects are worse in small, enclosed rooms with no air circulation.
Control dust exposure. Drywall, insulation, plaster and sanding all generate fine particles that irritate the lungs and can aggravate conditions like asthma. Wear a dust mask or a respirator rated for fine particulates during any work that produces airborne dust.
One source of dust that is easy to overlook is carpet removal. According to the American Lung Association, pulling up old carpet can release a large volume of trapped dust particles into the air. If you are removing carpet, wear a mask, ventilate the room and consider sealing off the work area from the rest of the house with plastic sheeting to contain the dust.
Take messy work outside. If a task is especially dusty or involves chemicals, do it outdoors whenever possible. Sanding, staining and spray painting are all better suited to an open-air environment. Before coming back inside, wipe your feet and shake out your clothing to avoid tracking dust and chemicals into the living space.
Choose low-toxicity products. Where possible, use paints, varnishes, cleaners and paint thinners that are labeled VOC-free or low-VOC. These products reduce the volume of chemical fumes released into your home and are widely available at most home improvement stores. The price difference is minimal and the air quality improvement is significant, especially in homes with children, elderly residents or anyone with respiratory conditions.
Leave the house for major work. Some renovations are disruptive enough that staying in the home is not practical or safe. Large-scale painting, varnishing, floor refinishing and extensive sanding can fill the home with fumes and particles that linger for hours or days. If the scope of work allows, spend a night or two at a hotel or with family while the most intensive phases are completed and the space has time to air out. The cost of a hotel room is minor compared to the health effects of prolonged exposure to concentrated fumes in an enclosed space.
After the project is finished
The renovation may be done, but the cleanup is just as important as the work itself. Dust, fumes and debris left behind can continue to affect air quality and pose hazards long after the last coat of paint has dried.
Wipe down walls and molding. Dust settles on vertical surfaces as well as horizontal ones. If you painted the walls, a dry dusting is sufficient. If the original paint is still in place, wipe the walls with a damp towel. For high areas, wrap a towel around a broom to reach without a ladder.
Vacuum and mop thoroughly. Go over carpeted areas multiple times to remove embedded dust. For wood, tile or linoleum floors, sweep first and then mop. Vacuum upholstered furniture as well, even if it was covered during the renovation. Dust finds its way into seams, cushions and crevices regardless of how carefully you protected the furniture.
Store tools properly. Do not leave ladders, drills, saw blades, nails or screws lying around the house or garage. Loose fasteners on the floor are a puncture risk and unsecured tools are a hazard for children and pets. Clean each tool before storing it, and return everything to its designated place.
Change the air filters. This is one of the most important post-renovation tasks and one of the most frequently skipped. Paint fumes, sanding dust and construction debris collect on HVAC filters during a renovation. A clogged filter restricts airflow, forces the furnace or air conditioning system to work harder and recirculates contaminated air throughout the home. Replace the filter as soon as the project is complete. If the renovation was extensive, consider having the ductwork professionally cleaned as well.
Use the momentum to improve home safety
A renovation puts you in the mindset to improve your home. While you have the tools out and the motivation, consider adding a few safety features that protect your family and increase the home's value at the same time.
Install motion-activated exterior lights. A light that turns on when motion is detected near an entrance or along the side of the house deters intruders and makes it safer to approach the home at night. Install them near every external door, along walkways and in any area of the yard that is not well lit after dark.
Add or replace deadbolts. Replace any old or broken locks with modern deadbolts, which are significantly harder to pick or force open than standard knob locks. If you recently purchased the home or gave a key to a contractor or repairman during the renovation, change all the locks. You do not know how many copies of the old key are in circulation.
Install a peephole or a video doorbell. A peephole on the front door allows you to see who is outside before you open it. A video doorbell adds the ability to see and speak with visitors remotely from your phone, which is useful when you are not home or when a stranger comes to the door.
Mount televisions to the wall. A freestanding television on a stand or a dresser can topple forward, which is especially dangerous in homes with toddlers. Wall mounting eliminates that risk and frees up floor space. Use a mount rated for the television's weight and anchor it into studs, not just drywall.
Replace burned-out exterior bulbs. A dark entrance, a dark backyard or a dark side yard creates cover for someone who does not want to be seen. Replace broken or burned-out bulbs immediately and consider upgrading to LED bulbs, which last longer and consume less energy.
Install a professionally monitored alarm system. A security system with professional monitoring, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and visible yard signage provides both protection and deterrence. The presence of an alarm system alone is often enough to discourage a break-in. Many insurance companies also offer premium discounts for homes with monitored security systems, which can offset part of the monthly cost.