June is National Safety Month! The National Safety Council wants to remind you that safety should be the top priority in the workplace, as well as at home. One way to achieve this goal is by cleaning out your attic and avoiding dangerous situations.
Learn more about safety tips for your attic cleanout.
Tips for a Safe Attic Cleanout
When cleaning an attic, take into consideration the temperature of your area. Attics can reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a dangerous environment for children. Cleaning should be scheduled around pleasant weather so that temperatures are not dangerously high.
Avoid cleaning your attic when you are pregnant. You should also make sure you do not have a fall-related injury when in the area.
Ask for help if the items stored in your attic are too heavy or cumbersome to handle by yourself. Use proper body mechanics and request that others provide assistance with moving furniture, boxes, and other items.
Be careful when walking in the attic. The flooring boards in some spots, and insulation in others. If you accidentally step wrong, you could ruin your ceiling tile and fall through to space below.
Avoid extension cords while cleaning your attic. In addition, do not plug several electrical items into a single outlet.
Be careful of the nails and screws that are on top of the floorboards in your attic. You could fall through if you step on them. Carry a nail puller with you to remove any from your path before walking across them.
Make sure to use a ladder that is in good condition before entering your attic. If the rungs are worn, you could slip and fall while cleaning your attic. Never stand on a chair or table as it is not stable enough for cleaning an attic.
At the top of a staircase, carry items with your feet or on your back. Going down a staircase is risky enough. Going up and down ladders introduces another level for injury to occur. Always face the ladder when going up and down so that you can see what you are doing at all times. Bring a co-worker/spouse with you to help with the heavier items.
While carrying large amounts of materials, have a partner hold part of the load. More than 75% of all work injuries occur due to overexertion! A human body can only handle so much weight at one time before they give out.
Make a plan to stay safe in your attic cleanout. Because of the many safety threats, it’s essential to go into this project with an action plan. Are you simply identifying your holiday decorations? Or are you bringing down the baby toys so that they can be donated? It’s easy to get distracted, making fall and winter accidents more likely to happen.
Plan for the worst-case scenario, such as a stack of boxes falling over and crushing your toes! If you don’t think about what could go wrong, then it’s more likely that you will be injured because of those unprepared.
Give Junk Removal Guys a call and we’ll send out one of our services representatives to handle anything, from your attic cleanout to helping you pack up for a move. Call today for help!