Every now and then, your home is bound to need some work done on it. From a kitchen remodel to replacing windows and even laying down carpet, these home improvement jobs can be lengthy and dirty. During construction or other work, it’s important to keep your kids away from the job site in order to remain safe. However, this can be easier said than done when you have curious little ones sneaking around to catch a glimpse of all the action. You are obviously paying for top of the line home renovation projects to create a home that your family can love for generations, but this current generation is hell bent on getting in the way as much as possible, which can delay work at points.
So to help make sure everyone stays safe regardless of the work you’re getting done, create an execution plan that can ensure kids get enough space to play and feel at home while staying away from construction is going on. For instance, you can start the renovation from the garage, perhaps look into metal building designs for personal garage construction. Once, that area is completed, divide the house into parts and start the indoor modifications. While it’s in progress, you can move kids to the garage during their play time or clear a small sitting area there for the time being. It can ensure that kids stay safe throughout the renovation process.
Additionally, here are three tips for keeping your kids safe when your home is undergoing updates or repairs.
Communication Is Key
If you try to play it off like nothing out of the norm is going on around your home, you may have more problems than if you were upfront and open with your kids about what’s going on and what your expectations are for them. Let them know where they can go and where they should stay away from. Also, Consumer Reports suggests not only having you communicate with your kids by also having your kids briefly meet your contractor or foreman so they know who’s going to be around the house and what work is going to be taking place. This will also help your contractor know how many kids there are and who to be on the lookout for.
Putting Up Physical Barriers
When construction is taking place, it’s important to set up boundaries in which your children are not allowed to pass in order to maintain their safety and the safety of your workers. If the work is being done inside the home, consider putting up plastic sheeting or other physical barriers so your children know exactly where they need to steer clear of. Not only will this help keep your kids out of harm’s way, but Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana tells Hanady Kader of SeattleChildrens.org that these types of seals will also help to keep your kids healthier because it will make it more difficult for dust and other particles to travel to non-construction areas of the home. Ensuring that construction zones are clearly marked and physically separated can prevent accidental exposure to hazardous materials or tools. It’s also a good idea to provide a designated play area away from the renovation site to keep your children occupied and away from potential dangers. Additionally, if your balcony renovation includes installing a balcony balustrade, these can enhance safety by providing clear, sturdy barriers that prevent falls while allowing you to maintain an open, well-lit space. The transparency of glass balustrades not only improves visibility but also ensures that natural light can continue to brighten your home, contributing to a safer and more pleasant environment for your family during construction.
Setting Up Alternative Areas
Having repairs or renovations done on major areas on the home, like the kitchen, bathrooms or living areas, can be a big inconvenience, especially if you have little ones running around. To make this adjustment a little easier, Alyson McNutt English, a contributor to BobVila.com, recommends setting up alternative areas in other places in the home, like moving your food preparation area into the garage. This will help your kids have a place where they can still access the materials they need while staying out of the way of the construction work.
Your children’s safety is going to be your top priority during any home repairs you have going on. Use the tips mentioned above to make their safety something easy to oversee.