Indoor Painting: How to Paint Indoors Securely

Painting is a task that almost all people will undertake at some moment during their lifetime. Materials and equipment are available at hardware and home improvement stores throughout the country and around the world. However, how many consider about whether painting, particularly indoors, is risk free?

Paint, including water-based ones, is a substance that can produce smoke, which is typically the first thing that people are conscious of when they start with an indoor painting task. But, many people ignore or do not consider the risk caused by paint fumes. In this article, we'll discuss the things you need to consider when painting indoors so that you're safe to paint.

Indoor Painting Precautions

Here are some points to think about in painting indoors. Although this isn't an orderly list in indoor painting, it is important to consider ventilation at the top of the list of safety precautions. But, all of these factors should be taken into account when you start a painting project.

Proper Ventilation

A proper ventilation system is essential for painting indoors. Paint is made of substances that emit fumes, which can be harmful to people, particularly children, to breathe in for long durations of time. If you can, it is best to open the windows and doors to allow the flow of air. If you are unable to ensure adequate ventilation, ensure you regularly take breaks to reduce the effects of exhaust fumes. If you experience dizziness or light-headedness, take a break and take a breather. For furniture or other items, paint them outside, where the airflow isn't an issue.

There are other aspects to take into consideration in painting indoors. Does the space that you're painting is equipped with a fan in the ceiling? If so, switch it on to boost the circulation of air. If there's no ceiling fan, consider using a stand-alone fan (put it on an oscillate) to improve circulation.

If you're painting in the winter months and you have to open a door or two to let air in, make use of a portable heater to stop your room from becoming too cold.

Although good ventilation isn't enough, it doesn't entirely eliminate the risk that comes with exposure to fumes from paint. Therefore, ensure that you remove yourself from painting every now and then. This will ensure that you're getting a breath of fresh air.

If ventilation is difficult or is not possible, then choose a paint that is water-based with a low VOC content to limit the negative effects of fumes. In the event of working in an unventilated area, you should take frequent breaks to limit exposure.

Protective Equipment

Since paint is a chemical base, it's not the only negative side effect. Wearing protective gloves as well as glasses (or goggles) are recommended to protect yourself from irritation caused by accidental contact with the eyes or skin. If contact occurs to your eyes, you should flush them with water.

Alongside wearing glasses and gloves, a face mask can be used to reduce the risk of inhaling fumes created by the paint. These safety items will help reduce the chance of injuries from the chemical compounds in paint. When your painting project is completed, please make certain to dispose of them in a proper manner to ensure that the paint residue doesn't stay within your home.

Consider wearing a respirator mask (available in most paint and hardware stores) in the event that you plan to paint for a prolonged time. The additional layers of filtration inside the respirator mask provide additional protection (something an N95 standard mask doesn't offer).