Safety Tips for Painting

Is Your Home’s Paint Safe? Lead Paint Basics

There was a time when lead-based paint was a popular choice for homeowners. It was durable, dry faster, and lead added color to paint. That was before it was confirmed that lead paint is a potential hazard to human and pet health. In 1978, lead paint was banned for residential use in the United States due to an unacceptable risk of toxicity.

Some older homes may still have lead paint which, if left undamaged, may not pose a risk. However, if you live in an older home and are considering repainting, it helps to have any paint you plan to remove tested for lead content. You can purchase DIY testing kits or contact the Arizona Painting Company for a professional assessment.

Back to the present day, and parents are still concerned about the paint products that they purchase. While most people know that lead paint is no longer available for sale, there are other issues that parents worry about, such as fumes in a freshly repainted home. The great news is, the standards in the production of paint in the modern age have vastly improved over the last 40 years.

If you have small children, it is much easier to check the quality of assorted brands and types of paint. The Arizona Painting Company can also provide further clarification on safety standards and the best paint for your home.

Choosing Low-VOC Paint

Paint is one of those products where making the right choice can be daunting. There are so many types to choose from, which often leaves homeowners locked in indecision. If it were simply a case of picking the colors that you want for your interior paint project, shopping for paint would be easy. However, you also have to consider shades, tones, and sheens. It doesn’t take long before wary parents start thinking about what makes these types of paint different from one another.

As it happens, safety does factor into the type of paint that you buy; although not in the way that you may think. Certain products, including paint, contain what are known as “volatile organic compounds” (VOC). These compounds, in large amounts, can negatively affect air quality in your home.  Products that have safety labels that state “low VOC,” “no VOC,” “eco-friendly” etc., are generally better for your family and the environment.

The safety of products is not necessarily dictated by cost, so always ensure that you check the manufacturing label before making a purchase. If you still aren’t sure if a particular product is safe for use around your children, reach out to the experts at the Arizona Painting Company. We are more than happy to offer our expert advice and guidance.

Protecting Your Eyes

While most of the chemicals found in paints are not likely to cause permanent blindness, it is important to avoid getting paint in your eyes in the first place. Your eyes are extremely vulnerable during any painting project due to the nature of how paint is applied. Using eye goggles, glasses or a facemask will prevent paint, thinner, or debris from getting into your eyes and potentially blinding you.

If you do get paint, chemicals, or debris in your eye, it is important to flush the eye thoroughly right away. Avoid rubbing the affected eye as this can cause further damage. If you are unsure about the chemical content in paint or debris damaging the surface of the eye, seek medical attention to have your eye checked.

Protecting Your Skin

You can use different types of gloves depending on the type of work you are carrying out. Ordinary material gloves are sufficient when sanding surfaces. It is advisable to use non-porous gloves when working with water-based paint. Solvent-based products will have a higher chemical content, so special chemically-resistant gloves are recommended.

Some chemicals contained in paint and related products may cause adverse reactions when they come in contact with the skin. If you have sensitive skin or just want to err on the side of caution, wearing clothing that protects your skin, along with a face mask, when painting is also a good idea.

Breathe Easy

There are so many ways that you can damage your lungs during a typical painting project. While preparing surfaces or painting, you should always protect your lungs from pollutants in the air. Prevent dust and debris from entering your lungs with an anti-dust mask. However, when dealing with solvents, you will need a solvent-respirator for an extra layer of protection.

Keep windows and doors open when painting inside to ensure adequate ventilation. Remember, you and your family will normally need to remain in the home while the paint dries. Many solvent-based paints produce fumes that can lead to asphyxiation due to a lack of oxygen in an enclosed space. If a paint or related product carries a flammability warning, make sure there are no sources of ignition present until you are certain that fumes have fully dissipated.

Handling and Storage

Handling and storing painting products correctly is just as important as protecting yourself when using them. Reading labels thoroughly is the best practice when it comes to proper handling and storage. As already discussed, solvent-based painting products and heat do not mix. Never store solvents anywhere near extreme heat or open flames.

Keep children and pets safe by keeping containers sealed and well out of reach — this applies throughout the project, not just once you’re done for the day. Kids are naturally curious, and even a small amount of ingested paint or paint thinner can be a real health risk, so don’t leave trays, cans, or chemicals sitting out between coats.

If you’re moving furniture or other household items to protect them from drips or overspray, keep an eye on small children during the process — shifting heavy pieces creates a tripping and pinch hazard, and stacking items unevenly can be dangerous if something gets bumped. Any materials used during your project should be properly disposed of afterward to avoid the potential for accidental fires.

Using Ladders

Always check ladders to ensure they are stable and that there is no structural damage. A damaged ladder can quickly buckle under the weight of a child, let alone a fully-grown adult. Make sure that both the ladder and the intended areas of placement are clean and free of slipping hazards. Never place a ladder in front of a door unless it is locked, has a visible safety notice on the other side, or you have someone standing watch.

Before climbing a ladder, test it to make sure that it is on an even surface and supported on all four points. Ensuring that the rungs of the ladder are dry won’t do a thing if your shoes are wet or have unsuitable soles. Shoes with adequate grips are recommended – going barefoot or wearing loose shoes is incredibly dangerous.

When climbing a ladder, you should take care to ensure that you are stable at all times. If you have to overstretch, you are putting yourself in extreme jeopardy. Always keep contact with three points when climbing a ladder, and never ascend past the last three rungs of the ladder. Do not use a ladder that is too short for the job and never leave children unsupervised around ladders.

Seek Professional Advice

When you are making choices in décor, it helps to speak to a professional. Painting safety is one of many areas where it pays to consult with a professional from the Arizona Painting Company. The claims made by paint manufacturers are typically trustworthy. The problem is that they are not always easy to understand for the average consumer.

Hiring a professional painting company will also allow you to concentrate on what matters – spending quality time with your kids. The job will be completed in a fraction of the time using only the safest products on the market when you trust the Arizona Painting Company to get the job done.

Contact the Arizona Painting Company today for guidance or a quote on completing your paint project today.