Safety Tips for When You’re Working In the Attic

If you’re like most homeowners, your attic is a place you go into as infrequently as possible. However, there are times when you or someone else will have to do some work up there, be it a repair to the HVAC system, or to electrical wiring or to plumbing pipes. So when those times come around, it’s important that you’ve made the attic as safe as can be.

Surprisingly, there are a number of easy steps you can take to make your attic a safer, more comfortable space.

Attic Safety Tips

1. Before you begin your job, have a plan and get organized. The goal should be to make as few trips as possible up and down the ladder or stairs with your tools, so think carefully about what you need.
2. Take stock, before you begin, of any vermiculite (asbestos) or animal/insect infestations that might impact your health or the health of your workers. Hire professionals to take care of the situation.
3. Try to vacuum up dust, if at all possible.
4. Make a note of wiring, pipes and cables, and try to be mindful of them so you don’t step on them or knock them loose. Examine wiring to see if it is frayed or loose, and have it fixed.
5. Whenever possible, get the work done before the hot weather hits. If that’s not possible, have a table or box fan running, and plan to take frequent breaks from soaring temperatures.
6. Even if you have fixed lighting up there, you’ll benefit by having a work light and flashlight that you can move around and use for peering into dark corners.
7. Dress to protect your limbs from contact with insulation or protruding objects. Wear long sleeves and long pants, and a hat to protect your head (a hard hat may be too hot). Sneakers with tread may be better than boots if you have to balance on joists.
8. Wear protective gear, such as goggles and a dust mask or respirator.

For all your HVAC needs, contact Jackson and Sons. When You Need Us – We’ll Be There!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Eastern North Carolina (including Wayne, Johnston, Greene, Lenoir, Pitt and Duplin Counties) about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “succo/Pixabay”