June is National Safety Month, and the National Association of the Remodeling
Industry reminds homeowners to play it safe during the renovation process.
Before renovation begins, stay out of “LARM’s” way (lead,
asbestos, radon and mold) and know your hazardous materials.
"Lead, asbestos, radon and mold are all potentially harmful substances
that should be discussed with your remodeling professional before you
begin a project," said Joan Stephens, CR, president of NARI. Both
asbestos and radon are carcinogenic and can be detected by a professional;
lead and mold should also be detected by a professional. All remodelers
are required to provide you with a brochure entitled “Protect Your
Family From Lead in the Home” which NARI provides to its members.
While recent studies have shown that mold might not cause more serious
ailments previously attributed to the fungus, such as memory loss and
seizures, the National Academies of Science does support the claim that
asthmatics may suffer more, and that healthy people may experience upper
respiratory symptoms, from mold. Remember that knowledge is the best
preventative measure.
Here are some safety tips to follow during a remodel:
• Try to stay out of the work area. This is important for safety
and for maintaining work schedules. Keep pets, toys, and children
out of the contractor's way.
• Block doors where remodeling is occurring, especially if small
children are present. If you're adding a deck attached to the second
story of a house, or over a walk-out basement, remember to keep access
doorways blocked. "It is easy to forget that the old deck has been
torn down and there is nothing but empty space outside of the patio door," said
Scott Balentine, CR, owner of Lifestyles Custom Homes & Remodeling
in Overland Park, Kansas, and Kansas City NARI member. "Even doors
on lower levels should be blocked to prevent being struck by falling
items as someone exits the house."
• Always communicate with your professional remodeler. Discuss
where tools and materials will be stored, who will be responsible
for cleaning the area, and what sections of wall or floor can be covered
at the end of the day.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization
Survey, more than two million homes are burglarized annually. Safety
is exceedingly important. As a preventative measure, thinking like
a criminal may not be such a bad idea when planning your remodeling project.
Don’t make it easy for a burglar to attack your home, and consider
these elements of renovation:
Landscaping
Everyone wants an attractive home exterior, but safety should never
be compromised for beauty. The way plants, shrubs and trees are arranged
around your home may be the reason why a burglar chooses it. The fewer
places there are to hide, the less chance of crime.
Less shrubbery also greatly decreases the risk of fire. According to
the U.S. Fire Administration, creating a “defensible space” by
lessening the amount of trees and shrubbery within 30ft. of your home
greatly decreases fire risk. Fire-safe areas may be created during
a remodel by considering stone as an option for walls, patios, swimming
pools, decks and roadways.
Consider what windows and rooms overlook the different parts of your
lawn and landscape for better views from inside, which will allow you
to be aware of suspicious behavior.
If you're building a deck, it's important to follow code requirements
that dictate proper space between handrails, proper railing configurations,
etc. "Be sure to use only a licensed contractor for any deck and
porch construction project," Balentine said. "Licensed contractors
carry the proper insurance and will put the proper permits required
by local municipalities, insuring the project is built in accordance
with
local and national building codes."
Lighting
Exterior lights with timers and sensors will increase the safety factor
of your landscape design. Consider a few types of outdoor lighting that
will enhance the security of your homestead: screw-in photoelectric sensors
which turn lights on at dusk and off at dawn automatically, motion-sensor
floodlights activated when something comes within range of the sensor,
wall-switch timers allow you to time when the lights are on, and grounded
timers for exterior lighting mounted outdoors on the side of your house.
Locks
Ensure that all exterior doors will be equipped with deadbolts in addition
to standard locksets. Don't settle for the cheapest lock, go with a hardened-steel
bolt that extends at least an inch into the doorjamb. For even greater
safety consider a vertical deadbolt, which prevents an intruder from
opening the door by forcing a pry bar between the door and the frame.
When replacing doors, talk to your remodeling professional about lock
options.
The remodeling market, a $214 billion industry in the U.S. in 2003,
is projected to grow to $224 billion or more in 2004. It is estimated
that more than a million homes per year undergo major renovation or remodeling.
NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe
to a strict code of ethics.ÊConsumers may wish to search www.RemodelToday.com
to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI.
Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at 800-611-NARI and
request a free copy of NARI’s brochure, “How to Select a Remodeling
Professional,” or visit www.RemodelToday.com and click on the homeowner’s
guide for more information.
