What it takes: Falls from ladders
Ladder falls send many people to the emergency room each year, often from modest heights while cleaning gutters, painting or hanging lights. Overreaching and unstable footing are common causes.
DIY home improvement
Ladders, power tools, heavy lifting and dust from old materials.
Doing your own home projects saves money and is satisfying. It also brings jobsite hazards into your weekend. Falls from ladders, eye injuries, back strain, and dust from old paint or insulation are the main risks.
What it takes and what to do
What it takes: Lead and asbestos in older homes
Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, and older homes may have asbestos in insulation, flooring or siding. Sanding, scraping or demolition can release dust you and your family breathe in. Test before you sand or scrape. Don't dry-sand or heat-strip old paint. Leave suspected asbestos alone and hire a certified professional.
What to do about Lead and asbestos in older homes
Wear a respirator for dust, fumes and smokeAs neededUse a properly fitted N95 or better respirator for dusty work and heavy wildfire smoke, and a cartridge respirator for gases and vapors.What it takes: Back strain from heavy lifting
Carrying drywall, tile and bags of concrete, or working bent over for hours, strains the lower back.
What to do about Back strain from heavy lifting
Lift with your legsAs neededPlan the lift, keep the load close and bend at the knees, not the waist. Do bird dogsWeeklyReach one arm and the opposite leg from hands and knees to build back and core control. Do glute bridgesDailyLift your hips off the floor to strengthen the buttock muscles that sitting tends to switch off.What it takes: Eye and hand injuries
Drilling overhead, cutting tile and using power tools throw debris toward your eyes. Blades, nails and sharp edges cause cuts. Unplug power tools before changing blades or bits.
What to do about Eye and hand injuries
Wear eye protectionAs neededPut on safety glasses, goggles or a face shield for work, chores and hobbies that throw debris, chemicals or sparks.What it takes: Silica dust and noise
Cutting concrete, stone, brick or tile releases fine silica dust that can scar the lungs. Saws, grinders and hammer drills are loud enough to damage hearing.
What to do about Silica dust and noise
Wear a respirator for dust, fumes and smokeAs neededUse a properly fitted N95 or better respirator for dusty work and heavy wildfire smoke, and a cartridge respirator for gases and vapors. Protect your hearing from loud noiseAs neededWear earplugs or earmuffs around loud noise, turn the volume down and step away when you can.What it takes: Knee strain from floor work
Laying tile or flooring keeps you on your knees for hours, which can inflame the fluid cushion at the front of the kneecap.
What to do about Knee strain from floor work
Wear knee pads for kneeling workAs neededCushion your knees whenever a job puts you on the floor, so the small fluid sacs in front of the kneecap don't get irritated.When to see a professional
Get emergency care after a fall with a head injury, back or neck pain, or numbness. Get anything stuck in your eye checked right away. If you disturbed old paint or insulation in a home with young children or a pregnant person, ask a doctor about a blood lead test.