It's no mean feat to keep kids out of harm's way when you are doing home renovations. They're naturally curious and love exploring, so keeping them away from an area where something new is going on, is not always doable. You also need to consider allergy sufferers' needs and take precautions to keep them healthy during this exciting but challenging period.
How to Keep Your Kids Safe
It would help if you had a plan to keep your children safe during home renovations. Start by explaining the situation to older kids and put some rules in place. Also, consider the following suggestions.
The Right Contractor
It's essential to choose a contractor who understands the challenges of renovating a home while kids are present. If you're considering several companies, look at their safety records. If a business has a low injury rate, it usually means they follow good practices like storing their tools correctly and keeping work areas clean.
Before making your decision, ask your contractor how they feel about kids around the construction site. They should be able to tell you their safety practices and rules for children and their experience of having them around the house while renovating.
Speaking of contracting, the team at Dominion Roofing Company reminds you not to neglect this area of the house when doing renovations.
Change Your Habits at Home
A good contractor should also help you set up alternative areas, like a temporary kitchen. You need to lock doors and put up barriers to help your children remember to stay out of the spaces that are being renovated.
Keep Tools Away From Kids
If you have small children, you need to tell contractors not to leave power tools plugged in and within reach. Toddlers especially are used to toys with buttons to push, colorful lights, and moving parts.
Keep Kids Out of Work Areas
Small kids can get in the way of workers who can't see them when they're carrying large objects. Supervise your children, as laborers might not always be able to close doors behind themselves.
Beware of Unfinished Areas
Even when the work appears to be done, there can still be hazards for children. These dangers can include exposed wall socket covers and other missing safety features.
Keep Kids Away from Waste
Parents and contractors should work together to keep waste contained and kids away from the trash pile. Garbage is less interesting to kids if you keep it in a non-see-through box. Keep chemical containers away from children, as they can remain toxic, even when they're empty. A small amount of a substance can still be harmful.
Be Wary of Allergies
Many kids and adults suffer from allergies, which can worsen during a renovation project. Ensure that you schedule your alterations for a time of the year when you can keep your doors and windows open.
If you have allergy-sufferers in the household, it might be best to use paints with "no VOCs" on the labels. It'll be better in the long run for everyone's health to use environmentally friendly products.
Other ways of protecting the air quality include using an air purifier, vacuuming, and cleaning the workspace. Also, seal vents and your HVAC system.
Final Thoughts
Although home renovations are challenging when you have kids around, it's completely doable if you plan and have precautions in place. Even the busiest child can be kept out of harm's way if the adults on the site are vigilant at all times.
