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Both home renovations and relocations are major parts of the lives of Americans, especially on a yearly basis. According to the most recent statistics, 55% of homeowners stated that they had renovated their homes to some extent in the year that passed, spending almost $427 billion on these projects. As for relocation, close to 9% of the population, or 27.3 million people, reported changing homes during 2022.
Moreover, diving deeper into Texas in general and areas like Dallas is where most people are relocating. Naturally, then, Dallas is a leading area where a lot of renovation projects are being undertaken as people look to remodel their homes exactly how they like it. However, despite these substantial renovation and relocation projects, people forego one of the most vital aspects: safety.
Just talking about construction workers, about 3 out of every 100 workers suffer some kind of injury each year despite modern standards and practices for safety. This number obviously doesn’t include any harm that may come to homeowners and their family members. However, some accidents happen during relocation and renovations, which put substantial stress on safety precautions to be taken.
With these ground realities in mind, here are the things to bear in mind with respect to safety during these projects:
Start by Finding a Reliable and Professional Moving Company
If you’re planning a relocation, the first step is to find a trustworthy and experienced moving company. For cities like Dallas, which are hotspots these days for people relocating, long-distance movers play a crucial role in ensuring a seamless transition to your new home. These professionals have the expertise and resources to handle long-distance moves efficiently. When selecting Dallas long distance movers, consider to consider a number of factors.
These include reputation, customer reviews, and insurance coverage. Your chosen movers should prioritize the safety of your belongings during transportation. You might be wondering what the reliability and professionalism of the moving company has to do with safety. Well, the years of experience, skills, and standard practices that a service provider employs can directly impact how safely they can get all your stuff from one home to the other.
If Your Home Is Old, Ensure the Safety of the Structure
Talking about renovations, especially in older homes, since the project will involve some breaking down, it’s essential to assess the structural integrity of your property. Aging homes may have hidden issues like deteriorating foundations, faulty wiring, or plumbing problems. In order to identify potential hazards beforehand, hiring a qualified home inspector can help.
Addressing these concerns before starting renovations will enhance safety and prevent costly surprises down the road. It is important to look into this, particularly for homes over 20 years old, because one wrong move can bring an entire wall or the roof crashing down, causing injuries to workers and even family members. It is better to play safe than sorry.
Create a Plan Beforehand With Safety Concerns Addressed
Next, irrespective of whether your home is newly constructed or relatively old, proper planning is key to a successful renovation and relocation. Start by outlining your goals and objectives. Create a detailed plan for renovations with a timeline, budget, and specific safety considerations. Identify potential hazards in the project area, such as the presence of lead paint or asbestos.
It is vital to develop strategies to mitigate these risks. When relocating, a concrete plan is essential to eliminate any undue hassles and ensure a safe process. Haphazardness can lead to accidents, adding to the costs you already bear. Therefore, a well-thought-out plan will keep the project on track and ensure everyone’s safety.
In Case Of Remodeling, Separate the Living Space from the Area Being Renovated
Separating the living space from the construction zone is crucial during home renovations. This separation helps maintain a safe environment for occupants and minimizes disruptions to your daily life. In this regard, you are best served by setting up temporary barriers, like plastic sheeting or partitions, to contain dust and debris.
There is a reason why scaffolding is essential during construction projects, and the same applies to your home as well. It doesn’t matter if you are undertaking a minor or major renovation; you need to take steps for separation because even if an accident doesn’t happen, the dust and allergens can sometimes lead to breathing issues and other health problems.
Ensure you communicate safety rules with contractors and family members to ensure everyone is aware of the restricted areas.
Seek Professional Help Wherever Necessary
Every renovation or relocation task requires specialized knowledge and skills, especially concerning safety. It’s essential to recognize your limitations and seek professional help when needed. For instance, electrical or plumbing work should be handled by licensed contractors. Attempting such tasks without the necessary expertise can lead to safety hazards and costly mistakes.
People consider this an additional cost and choose to forego it altogether. These people end up regretting their decision in case an accident happens. You don’t know which hazards may arise during the construction or moving process, so it is always best to prioritize the safety of yourself and your loved ones by relying on professionals for complex projects, as they can ascertain potential risks better than anyone.
Have Safety Equipment Handy
In any renovation or relocation scenario, readily available safety equipment is crucial. It is vital to have handy items like fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, smoke detectors, and protective gear such as masks and gloves so that even the most minor accidents can be dealt with promptly and before they can escalate to extremely dangerous levels.
As a homeowner, you are responsible for ensuring that the safety equipment that your contractors or moving company have is up to date and in good working condition. If you have a safety apparatus of your own, run a check on it as well. Moreover, it helps to regularly check and maintain smoke detectors as well as fire extinguishers, keeping them easily accessible in case of emergencies.
Conclusion
Safety needs to be an utmost priority for any relocation or renovation project. And it is not just because of the risk of accidents but also due to the challenges that arise from dust or other allergens, which can result in various health issues. These problems can be short or long-term, but they can become quite a predicament, which is why taking precautions is the best idea.
