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Here鈥檚 how to stay safe when doing your own renovations and repair projects.

You鈥檙e excited to get to work on that project and proud of yourself for saving money on professional help. But do-it-yourselfers may be at risk of injury, disease and even death, if they aren鈥檛 aware of the proper safety measures to take. Read on to find out how to protect yourself against these DIY dangers.

1. Lead exposure

Your home may contain if it was built before 1978, before the product was banned for residential use. Renovating, repairing and painting can disturb old, deteriorating lead paint and release it into the air as dust. Exposure to lead dust can harm a child鈥檚 maturing nervous system and brain, but it can also affect , negatively impacting blood pressure, nerves, muscles, joints, fertility, memory, mood and more.

To reduce the risk of lead exposure, follow proper procedures. Remove furniture and household items from the room you鈥檙e renovating, and put plastic over built-ins. Close all the windows in the room where you鈥檒l be working. Then, tape off the room with plastic sheeting. (Make sure your pets and kids can鈥檛 get in.) Turn off the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, so the vents can鈥檛 carry lead dust to the rest of the house. Wear protective clothing, including a respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, so you don鈥檛 breathe in the dust. When you鈥檙e finished, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and wet wipe and mop the room. You can also contact a to test your home before you begin, and if necessary, hire a lead abatement contractor to safely remove the dangerous substance.

2. Asbestos exposure

As with lead, you don鈥檛 want to disturb this material, which was commonly found in houses built prior to the 1970s. in good condition is no problem, but if you breathe in the fibers released when asbestos is disturbed, it can put you at risk for lung cancer.

Asbestos was used for insulation between 1930 and 1950. Other products in your home that might contain it include roofing materials, textured paints and pipe coverings. If you鈥檙e renovating, never remove or repair asbestos or even take a sample to be tested yourself. Hire a professional.

3. Heavy lifting

Whether you鈥檙e doing a major renovation project or simply rearranging furniture, lifting heavy items can put considerable strain on your back.

鈥淭he pressure to the intervertebral disc, which is your spine鈥檚 shock absorber, is greatest when your spine is bent and you are holding weight in front of your body,鈥� says Raymond Hah, MD, a spine surgeon with the 喵咪社区 Spine Center, part of 喵咪社区. 鈥淚njuries often occur when you鈥檙e lifting an awkwardly shaped object, like a couch or large box. Take extra care in these situations.鈥�

Hah suggests adhering to these good lifting mechanics to prevent injury to your muscles, ligaments or discs:

• Ask others to help you lift heavy objects.
• Keep your back straight rather than rounded.
• Lift with your legs rather than your back.
• Hold objects close to your body.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e lifting very heavy objects, wearing a supportive brace may help protect your muscles and ligaments,鈥� he adds.

If you do have an injury that doesn鈥檛 improve within a few weeks with rest or anti-inflammatory medications, or if you experience back pain accompanied by any radiating pain into the buttocks and legs, Hah says that鈥檚 the time to seek medical attention.

4. Ladders and electricity

You probably know ladders can be a . But did you also know that they can be an ? If you are working near electrical lines, never use a metal ladder or a wooden one with metal reinforcement wire, because it can conduct electricity. Use a fiberglass ladder that has nonconductive side rails.

If you must use a wooden or metal ladder when doing tree trimming, gutter cleaning or other outdoor work, keep your ladder away from overhead power lines, which often are not insulated. Even wet tree branches that may touch your ladder can conduct electricity from power lines. Make sure you would be nowhere near overhead lines if your ladder were to slide or fall. Keep at a safe distance of at least double the ladder鈥檚 length.

5. Power tools

Not surprisingly, power tools, such as saws, drills and nail guns, can cause , including lacerations and even amputations. Your eyes are also at risk from flying debris. Make sure you have read the , and never take your focus off what you鈥檙e doing when you鈥檙e using the tool. In addition, never remove or disable the safety guard or switch while the tool is in use, and make sure to wear protective gear, such as goggles or gloves.

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