As with any home improvement project, basement remodeling needs proper planning and the right safety precautions. Safety is especially important during basement remodeling because of the limitations of such an enclosed area. Remember the following during your basement remodeling activities for they could draw the line between life and death.
Get enough air. If you don’t have enough air during basement remodeling with all the existing doors and windows open, create enough ventilation before starting. Break a wall to create another window or add a vent or exhaust fan. Also think about proper ventilation measures for the room when finished with your remodeling.
Check the heat. Any type of remodeling is a sweaty job. Try to gauge if you would be able to generate enough body heat during the project. With all aspects of work, wear appropriate clothing to manage the temperature better. Bring a fan in if it gets too hot. Consider room temperature after you’re done working as well.
Light up your work area. Construction activities in work areas need sufficient light. Don’t work with just a single tungsten bulb. Strategically place bright fluorescent lights wherever you work, even during daytime.
Wear appropriate gear. Protect your body from head to toe. A safety helmet, safety glasses, long-sleeved overalls, a pair of gloves, and a dust mask are essential when working.
Protect yourself from any gas furnace or water heater. Build a partition to separate yourself and all basement remodeling activities from these machines. This is to reduce the heat they generate from affecting your basement remodeling and keep you safe from any fire hazards. You might also want to consider making a permanent room for them as part of your overall checklist.
Locate the exits. Early on, make sure you have a fire exit. This makes for a ready way out in case of any construction accidents while you are working.
Setup a bathroom. If it doesn’t already have one, your plans should include a spot for a bathroom, even if it’s just a sink and toilet, now that the room will be getting more foot traffic. This construct will be for your own convenience as well so that you don’t have to keep going up and down the stairs to unload fluids or even just to wash your hands before, during and after working.
Make safety a priority not just in preparation of basement remodeling but also in your plans. Remember that safety measures aren’t just the law, they are for your family’s protection and your own, too.
