Spring home-improvement projects can be exciting, especially when they involve changing the decor of the home. Whether you plan to make a minor change, like hanging new drapes, or you have something extensive in mind, it is important to consider your health and safety in the process.

Protecting YOUR HEALTH
• Make sure that ladders and stepladders are in proper working order and platforms have been constructed safely.
• Increase the ventilation in a room to reduce the effects of dust and fumes.
• Wear a mask to minimize the amount of dust and fine particles that you inhale.
• Wear safety glasses to protect eyes from flying debris.
• Wear gloves to protect skin from injury and irritation.
• Keep all chemicals and tools away from children and pets, and out of the way of corridors in your work area.

Following Instructions
• Always read manufacturers' operating instructions before using any equipment.
• Make sure that you use any materials or chemicals safely, complying with statutory legislation regulating the use of hazardous substances.

Electricity
• Disconnect any electrical equipment when it is not in use, even if it is for a short time.
• Switch off the power supply when decorating around switches or wall outlets and when cleaning them.
• Consider using a ground-fault interrupter to prevent electrocution.