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DIY Projects to Avoid

Should You Tackle A DIY Project Or Hire A Professional?

bricklayingDIY projects can be a lot of fun and, when you do a good job of one, it gives you a huge sense of accomplishment. Many homeowners make their first forays into the world of DIY in an attempt to save money and, while there are a lot of basic jobs that everyone should learn to do, there are some tasks that are best left to the experts.  Here is a quick look at some of the most dangerous DIY projects  and why you should give them a wide berth.

Major Plumbing Jobs

There’s a big difference between fixing a leaking tap and moving some pipes.  As plumbing jobs increase in complexity, they become massively more risky.  Not only does moving or changing pipes often require cutting out parts of your wall, it also requires a good knowledge of how your plumbing works and how to safely install the new pipes so that you don’t end up with a leak a few months down the line. To do the job well, you will need specialist equipment.

When plumbing goes wrong it can get messy and, if you end up with a leak that comes into contact with your electrical wiring, it can also become very dangerous. It will be faster, cheaper and safer to let an expert do the job.

Electrical Work

Electricity may seem like a safe and familiar thing – after all, it powers the devices you use every single day. However, if it’s not handled correctly it can be lethal.

Everyone should learn how to change a fuse and re-wire a plug (and even these tasks carry risks), but major wiring changes are a different matter. Building regulations require most home wiring jobs to be carried out by a qualified, licensed electrician. If you attempt any major works you could well be breaking the law and end up with a property that you cannot sell until the work is checked by a qualified person.  Get the work done right the first time to avoid any potential problems.

Bricklaying

It’s one thing to raise a flower bed with a few bricks or even lay your own patio, but tackling a bigger building project, or something that can be clearly seen from the street is another matter.  Building a wall out of bricks might seem like a simple job, but if you don’t know what you’re doing that wall could come tumbling down after a few days of bad weather.

Even if you do manage to build a structurally sound wall, are you sure it will look good?  How long will the project take you?  Why spend an entire week on a project that a professional could do in a day or two?  If you can afford the materials it makes sense to spend a little extra to ensure that they are used to create something attractive that will last for many years.

Knocking Down Walls

When remodeling our homes it can be very tempting to skip steps especially when it comes to knocking down walls. Why pay for a professional when all you need is a sledge hammer? How wrong can you go destroying a wall? The answer is: very wrong. And in the end it might be more than the wall you destroy. It’s important to get a professional in who understands the structure of the building and can remodel your home without making it unsafe. After all, you don’t want to go knocking down any load-bearing walls for the sake of saving a little money.

Cutting Down Trees

This is probably one of the most dangerous tasks that you could do yourself. Chainsaws are powerful tools and, in Cutting down trees can be a very dangerous task!the wrong hands, can be deadly weapons. Not being trained to use one or having the right experience puts you and others in great danger. Additionally, there is the risk of the tree falling on you, someone else, a building or a car.

Most people take on these jobs with the belief that they are going to save money. Unfortunately, mistakes, damage and sometimes injury and even death prove quite the opposite. If every job could be easily done by anyone there would be no need for qualified professionals.

Guest Post By:

Article written by A. Elliott; a writer with an interest in interior design and home improvement, she occasionally writes for Vibrant Doors, suppliers of internal and external doors.

Amy makes a lot of good points in this article.  There are lots of DIY Projects that homeowners can easily complete.  The ones listed above are really best handled by professionals.  We agree that they CAN be dangerous and not worth the risk.  What are your thoughts about these DIY Projects?
Gary B.

Fire-proof your home this season

fireproof your home this season‘Tis the season for at-home entertaining – food, friends, family, fun and yes, even fires. Fire fighters respond to calls of nearly 400,000 home fires each year, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Many fires occur in cold weather months as more people bring warmth into their homes with things like traditional candles or holiday lighting. These fires result in more than 15,000 civilian deaths or injuries annually.

Fire-proof the holiday season with these tips that safeguard your family and your home:

Go flameless

Reduce your risk of fire by using flameless candles. Though they look and smell like real candles, they don’t pose the same safety risks. Scentsy Wickless Candles provide the light and ambiance of traditional candles without the smoke, soot or an open flame. With more than 80 fragrances to choose from and 100 styles of warmers available, there’s a fit for every fragrance personality and home decor style.

If you purchase your Scentsy Candles from the following link:   https://nicolelauruska.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=116909627, Nicole Lauruska will generously donate 100% of the commission for this sale and the monies will go directly to the horses at the rescue at Another Chance For Horses Rescue!

Avoid outlet overload

Don’t overload electrical outlets and extension cords with holiday lights or other electronics. Plug only one heat-producing appliance, such as electric blankets, irons, toasters or coffee makers, into a receptacle outlet at a time. Consider avoiding outlet overload by choosing battery-powered options when they’re available.

Cook with care

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fire injuries, according to the NFPA. Don’t stray too far from the kitchen if you’re frying, grilling or broiling food. If you’re boiling, baking, or roasting, be sure to check it regularly and use a timer to remind you when it’s finished. Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.

Be prepared

Establish a fire-safe home by installing fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. Use a portable fire extinguisher to save lives and property by putting out or containing small fires. Store extinguishers where they can be quickly accessed in areas with great fire risk, such as in the kitchen or near the garage door. Smoke alarms should be installed in every room of the home, except for the kitchen, and should be tested once each month.

Have a plan

Establish a fire escape plan with the members of your household, and practice it often. You should always have two ways to exit each room, typically a door and a window. Practicing in a casual environment will help children feel confident in executing your plan in an emergency. Choose a landmark outside, such as a tree in the neighbor’s yard or the mailbox, as a meeting location for your family.

Following these fire safety tips will help ensure your memories of this fall and winter season are full of friends and family, not flames.

Keep Your Child Safe: Halloween

happy halloween

While Halloween is meant to be a fun time for kids of all ages, it can, unfortunately, be dangerous. The Division of Consumer Protection urges consumers to follow these simple safety tips to be sure this Halloween is a safe one:

Choking and Ingestion Hazards

  • Avoid costumes or accessories that go into kids’ mouths. These items may be hazardous, or may contain excessive levels of lead that may be dangerous to their health.
  • Do not allow young children to have any items that are small enough to present a choking hazard or that have small parts or components that could separate during use.
  • Warn children not to eat any treats until an adult has had a chance to examine them carefully. Adults, look through your child’s bag or bucket of candy BEFORE they eat any of it to be sure that it is safe and that there are no ingredients in candy to which your child may have an allergy.

Trip and Other Injury Hazards

  • Avoid masks that fully cover the face as well as costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. Costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls.
  • If children must wear a mask, make sure it fits securely, provides adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large enough to allow full vision. Also, tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes and obstructing vision.
  • Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.

Fire Hazards

  • Buy flame-resistant costumes, masks, beards and wigs and minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources.
  • Keep candles and Jack O’Lanterns away from precarious places in your home, and don’t place them near fabric.
  • Don’t overload extension cords.

Optimize Visibility and Stay in Areas You Know

  • Purchase or make costumes that are white or light colored, bright and clearly visible to motorists. For greater visibility make sure that costumes have reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights.
  • Trick-or-Treat close to home or in a safe place such as a mall. Young children should always Trick-or-Treat with an adult or older responsible child.
  • Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
  • Only approach homes where the lights are on.
  • Keep your home well-lit.

The Division of Consumer Protection & Bruzzese Home Improvements wishes New Yorkers a Safe and Happy Halloween!

 Source:  The Division of Consumer Protection
http://www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/consumer_resources/halloween.html

Safety guide for choosing, installing and using space heaters in your home

Supplemental Space HeatersThe temperatures are dropping and winter is just around the corner.  We realize many of you will be using space heaters in your homes for supplemental heat.  Space heaters can be a convenient way to heat certain rooms in your home but you need to take precautions as they do pose potential hazards.  Here are some tips from the New York State Department of Health to help you avoid potentially serious hazards:

Use this information as a safety guide for choosing, installing and using space heaters in your home. These heaters are fueled by kerosene, natural gas, propane or electricity. All of these heaters can cause fires. Gas and kerosene heaters can cause buildup of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in your home. High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal.

We recommend that you:

  • check with local building code or fire officials about requirements in your community.
  • install both carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home.

Unvented Heaters

Portable kerosene and unvented gas heaters release combustion products directly into your home. Overusing the heater or using an oversized heater can result in elevated levels of carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide fumes in the air. These fumes can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritation.

Don’t use these heaters as your main heat source, even during power failures. Using these heaters for an extended period of time increases the build up of combustion products. A better option is to run a generator outdoors during power failures for heating, refrigeration, etc.

Have these heaters inspected and serviced regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s advice about use and maintenance, but service the units at least once a year.

Portable Kerosene Heaters

Use ONLY grade K-1 kerosene. K-2 (even if it looks as clear as K-1) has a higher sulfur content and is used for other purposes. NEVER use gasoline. It can explode!

Never add fuel to the heater when it is hot. The fuel can ignite, burning you and your home.

Keep the heater away from things that can burn, such as furniture, rugs or curtains. Follow the manufacturer’s advice about placement and use.

Choose a heater carefully. Don’t choose a heater that is too large for the space you plan to heat. Choose one that won’t tip easily and has a fuel gauge to prevent overfilling.

Check the wick weekly. Clean it if it’s dirty and replace it if it’s worn.

Store kerosene outdoors, in a container used only for kerosene.

Don’t use kerosene from a prior heating season as it can change and may not burn properly.

Unvented Gas Heaters

Unvented gas heaters do not use a chimney or vent. They are connected to the house fuel supply (natural gas or propane) and may be wall-mounted, free-standing or inserted in a fireplace.

Have the heater installed by a professional (such as your gas supplier). ALL gas appliances should be professionally installed.

Don’t buy an oversized heater (in terms of heat output). Use the sizing guidelines posted where you buy the heater to choose the correct output. The room size not only determines heating needs, it also affects how much air is available to dilute the combustion products.

Vented Gas Heaters

Vented gas heaters are similar to unvented gas heaters except they are connected to a chimney or other venting system.

These heaters must be connected to a chimney or other venting system.

As with all gas appliances, have the heater installed by a professional.

Check the chimney or flue each fall for any obstructions (such as birds’ nests) and clean as needed.

Use your heater in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Have the heater inspected and serviced at least once a year.

Portable Electric Heaters

Don’t use a portable electric heater in rooms with running water (such as a kitchen or bathroom) or in a damp basement, unless connected to ground-fault interruptor circuits. These circuits, also called GFI, automatically shut down when exposed to water or other shock hazards.

Keep the heater away from things that can burn, such as furniture, rugs or curtains. Follow the manufacturer’s advice about installation, placement and use.

Place heater level and on the floor so it won’t tip over. Make sure no nearby items can fall onto the heater and ignite.

Avoid using ungrounded wiring or extension cords. Check plugs and wires periodically for fraying and overheating. Replace damaged cords or have a licensed electrical repair person make any repairs. Electrical tape is not always adequate.

Source:  New York State Department of Health
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/heaters/safety_guide.htm

Home Renovation: The Various Dangers

Asbestos Photo

Guest post courtesy of:

Brian Turner
Toxic Substance Safety Advocate

Home renovations can be a lot of fun. When a home needs a face-lift  it can be more affordable to use the DIY approach. While there are many advantages to a DIY approach, it’s also important to acknowledge the many dangers. Understanding that there is the potential to stir up asbestos, breath in vapors and even damage eardrums will make it easier to recognize the importance of the proper safety equipment.

Perhaps the most dangerous chemical that can be exposed in home renovation is asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can lead to a cancer known as mesothelioma. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information about asbestos and where it can be found and how to avoid it whenever possible. As long as it’s not disturbed it doesn’t pose a threat. However, when it is disturbed in a DIY project, it can expose everyone in the home.

Just as it’s important to wear a dual cartridge respirator when sawing and sanding because of the various fibers, it’s important to do so with dry wall, insulation and anywhere else that asbestos is suspected. There are tests that can be run by professionals to test for the presence of asbestos. This can be a good idea to determine whether it’s best to let professionals handle the renovation or if it is still a good DIY project.

The various respirators can be purchased at any home improvement store. There are cartridges that go into them and they have a finite life span. It’s important to know when the cartridges have to be replaced to ensure they are doing the job they are supposed to.

When it comes to breathing in vapors, such as those of paint thinner, polyurethane and other chemicals, there are precautions to be taken as well. A respirator can be worn but that only protects the lungs. The eyes should also be protected, which means wearing goggles.

Many of the chemicals also warn about the product being a skin irritant. Gloves should be worn as well. There are some gloves that cover more than just the hand and can be advantageous to offer the highest level of protection.

Some home renovation projects include using some very loud equipment. Holding an electric saw, a jack hammer or anything else can cause damage to the eardrums. There are various earplugs and headpieces that can offer ear protection. Each different plug will say how much protection it offers so it’s important to buy the right level.

Accidents happen during DIY projects all the time. It’s critical to stay informed about all the risks before getting started. Reading about asbestos and checking out the MSDS sheets on all chemicals can go a long way in preventing any unnecessary exposure. A DIY project can save a lot of money but if it puts everyone’s health at risk, there wasn’t actually any saving involved. There are ways to protect one’s self against the dangers but it involves knowing what to wear and when. Safety gear was created to be used, so that’s all one has to do.

Guest post courtesy of:

Brian Turner
Toxic Substance Safety Advocate

Brian TurnerBrian Turner has been working with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance as an environmental health and toxic substance safety advocate since June of 2007. Brian brings a tremendous amount of research and awareness experience in environmental health risks, environmental carcinogens, and green building expertise. Brian is very interested in all types of cars; his favorites are classic, muscle, and imports. Brian is commonly found playing and watching various sports with his friends.

Stay Connected with Brian Turner

Read more: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/brian/bio.htm#ixzz29ZJmnqVM

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