Painting the interior of your home is a great way to give your home’s interior a much-needed update. There is a wide array of colors and sheens to give your home the refreshed look and feel you desire. However, a successful indoor painting project requires careful attention to detail and safety. Before starting your next interior painting project, consider the following safety precautions:
Choose Low-VOC or No-VOC Paint
Many oil-based paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can harm your health and the environment. These chemicals are released into the air as the paint dries. Exposure to these vapors can cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Paint manufacturers have worked to significantly improve the quality and durability of low-VOC and no-VOC paints. They are formulated to contain more natural pigment additives instead of relying solely on petrochemicals. To reduce exposure to toxic fumes, using low- or no-VOC paint for all indoor painting projects is best.
Assure Proper Ventilation
Make sure the rooms are well-ventilated while painting indoors. Breathing in paint fumes can make you seriously ill, so take measures to have proper ventilation. Opening windows to allow for cross ventilation is an excellent way to help ensure adequate ventilation. Cross ventilation provides a steady fresh air supply in the room while allowing the paint vapors to escape outdoors. Good ventilation will also help the new paint to dry quicker. Mounting a box fan in the window pointed outwards is another safety precaution that helps remove harmful vapors from the room while painting.
Wear Protective Equipment
Wearing personal protective equipment while painting is a vital safety measure. Your protective gear should include an anti-dust mask, gloves, goggles or glasses, and a long-sleeve shirt. Protecting your skin, eyes, nose, and lungs from contact with the paint and any harmful vapors is essential.
Use Ladders Safely
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there are more than 500,000 ladder injuries yearly. Over 97 percent of ladder falls occur in the home. Using a ladder safely is an essential safety step when painting at home. Always follow the ladders safety instructions and remember the following safety guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor.
- Always maintain 3 points of contact on the ladder when climbing. Do this by keeping two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times when climbing.
- Keep your body near the center of the step and always face the ladder while climbing.
- Only use ladders and accessories, such as ladder levelers, jacks, and hooks, for their designed purposes.
- Ladders must be free of any slippery material that could cause your hands or feet to slip.
- Do not use a step ladder as a single ladder or when it’s in a partially closed position.
- Do not stand on the top step/rung of a ladder.
- Only use a ladder on a stable and level surface unless it is secured (top or bottom) to prevent it from moving.
- Do not place a ladder on unstable surfaces to be able to reach higher areas.
- Never move or shift a ladder while a worker or any equipment is on the ladder.
- Do not stand on the three top rungs of a straight, single, or extension ladder.
- The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of its working length from the wall or other vertical surface.
- Ensure that all locks on an extension ladder are engaged and functioning correctly.
- Never exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder and the weight it supports. Remember to include the weight of any tools or equipment.
Allow Plenty of Time for the Paint to Dry
It’s not a good idea to occupy a room immediately after painting. It can take a day or two for fresh paint to dry completely, depending on the type of paint used and the room size. Keeping windows open for ventilation will help speed up the drying process. It’s best to keep children and pets away from freshly painted spaces until the paint is completely dry.
Hire Professional Painters for the Best and Safest Results
Painting may seem like an easy and fun DIY project, but lots of work is involved. You must select the right paint, use safety precautions, and have the proper tools and equipment to complete the job safely. Hiring a professional painter saves time and ensures beautiful, long-lasting results.
Trust The Painting Pros to Deliver High-Quality Results
The Painting Pros, Inc. is a high-quality, award-winning painting contractor. Since 1978, we’ve served homeowners, business owners, and property managers across the San Jose region. When it’s time to update your property, call The Painting Pros at 408-418-9912 to discuss your needs. Our team of painting professionals handles jobs of all sizes, and we’re ready to help you transform your property with a new paint job.
The Painting Pros is known for its environmentally-conscious products and methods. We were the first painting company in Silicon Valley to be “certified green” by Green America. We use only low-VOC paints and recycle all eligible materials. The Painting Pros is a “Lead-Safe Certified Firm” with the EPA, meaning we have the training to safely take the necessary precautions to work with lead-based paint surfaces.