A home improvement project can lead to many disruptions and safety concerns. It’s important for homeowners to understand how to take care of children & pets during remodeling to ensure that their loved ones are safe at all times.
At Paragon Builders, we have more than a decade of experience remodeling homes across San Diego, California. Our experts have a deep understanding of executing such projects with outstanding results, and we’re here to guide you on how to take care of children & pets during remodeling in this article.
How to Take Care of Children & Pets During Remodeling: 12 Easy Ways to Protect Your Loved Ones
Whether you’re considering changing the layout of the living spaces or a complete home remodel, the following strategies will help you ensure the safety of your children and pets from hazardous materials, construction areas, and stress:
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Assign Separate Entrances
Unattended building tools can be a hazard for children and pets. To ensure minimal contact, assigning separate entrances for the workers and your family is important.
We highly recommend giving the professionals access to the entrance closest to the construction zones, even if it means using the back door for you and your family. This will minimize foot traffic and the interactions your children and pets may have with the workers.
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Arrange Alternative Accommodation
In any remodel, there is a risk of hazardous substances, gases, or toxins releasing into the air, which can adversely impact you and your family’s health.
Asbestos, lead paint, and mold can also be a cause for concern for homeowners. Make sure to discuss this with your contractor to determine whether you need to arrange temporary accommodation for your family.
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Designate a Safe Place for Activities
Children and pets need a safe place to play. If you’re living with your family in a small portion of the house during the remodel, you can allocate any available room for kids’ activities.
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Always Monitor Your Children
During a home improvement project, you cannot leave your children unattended. Kids have a curious nature, and they may be tempted to cross into the no-go construction zone, which can expose them to the different hazards present on the site.
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Block the Construction Areas
To ensure the foolproof safety of your children and pets while you’re not around, you can always block off the construction zone with tape, wooden planks, or hanging plastic sheeting. Where possible, use child safety gates.
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Accommodate Your Pets
To ensure the protection of your pets and your workers, keep your furry companions away from the construction zones. If you’re away working, leave them in a closed room with access to food, water, and toys. This will keep your furry companions busy until you’re back.
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Maintain Normal Routine
Whether it’s children or pets, keeping a normal routine during a remodel is essential. Changing the feeding time or skipping play time may lead to agitation and other behavioral problems.
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Know Your Child and Pet
Sometimes, a child or a pet could exhibit strange behavior during a remodel, especially if they’re sensitive to sound. Make sure to keep them away from the construction zone and play classical music or white noise around them to protect them from all the racket.
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Get Pets Microchipped
During a remodel, it can be incredibly stressful to learn that your pet has wandered away. While you may prepare yourself and take the right steps to ensure that your furry companion is in an enclosed space, it’s always wise to have them microchipped.
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Prevent Escape
Have you ever heard the phrase “curiosity killed the cat”? When a remodel is underway, this could happen if you don’t take care of your pets. Make it difficult for them to leave the designated area.
You can also take certain steps to inform workers about your pet’s situation, such as leaving a door sign that says “Keep closed: curious feline inside.”
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Ensure Proper Ventilation
If floor refinishing is underway during the remodel, it could lead to toxic fumes, making it difficult for children and pets to breathe. They are sensitive to smell, so don’t assume they’re okay if they don’t display any signs of discomfort.
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Communicate with Your Contractor
While communication is key for every home improvement project to succeed, it can also ensure the safety of your children and pets. By discussing the situation with your contractor, they can do their part and stay away from the designated living areas during the remodel.
Final Thoughts on Caring for Your Children and Pets During a Remodel
A remodel can have just as much of an impact on your children and pets as it does on you. It’s important to prioritize their safety and comfort.
At Paragon Builders, we understand the stress a remodel can have on your children and pets, which is why our premium contractors go above and beyond to keep your household protected during your home improvement project.
Call us at +1 (858) 336-8336 to discuss your remodeling needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, caring for your kids and pets can be difficult, especially if you’re busy with work. Leaving them at home while construction is underway is dangerous. In such situations, it’s best to make alternate living arrangements until your home improvement project is completed.
During a remodel, children and pets might feel stressed out with all of the noise and disruption. You must take certain steps to ensure their comfort. Releasing pheromones through a diffuser, for example, can calm down cats during a remodel.
You should always introduce your pets to the construction workers before the remodel to help them get acquainted with the new faces. This will keep them calm whenever they see the contractor or their team wandering around your property.
There are many hazards that could hurt your kids or furry companion during a remodel, some of which include loose wiring, wobbly items, dangerous tools, and toxic fumes, among many others.
