Renovating
With new family members on the way, your home needs to get ready for a couple of adjustments.
Nice and new
It is not just about finding the right furniture, but also preparing the right room. Whether the baby will get its own room or if it is sleeping in the parents’ bedroom: you should consider health and safety aspects from the very beginning to prevent any unwanted ill health effects.
The removal of old paint or flooring can lead to the release of dangerous substances. Check whether old paint contains Lead. Its removal needs to be treated differently than non lead paint. Protect yourself by wearing a mask. But this should not prevent you from taking all necessary steps to make the baby’s living space healthy and safe. Make sure you dispose of the old materials – flooring, wallpaper, paintwork, etc. – in a professional and rapid way. Your local council will provide a range of waste collection and recycling services.
General Tip
Think of your own protection while renovating: a plastic sheet, as a barrier between the renovation area and the living space, will help prevent dirt and harmful substances being spread around the living space. Use a wet cloth to remove any material that does settle. Be careful in your handling of the renovation material. Keep left-over paint, for example, in a tight container in the garage or cellar. Do not forget to ventilate the renovated area extensively so that paint fumes and other volatile chemicals leave the room.
On the next pages you will find further information about maintaining healthy indoor air quality as well as information about various renovating materials such as floors, wallpaper and paints.
Now you can get started. But: a pregnant woman should not do the renovating and, if possible, stay out of the home while the renovation is being undertaken. Harmful substances that are released during renovation are far more dangerous for the unborn than for grown-ups. The expectant mother should invest her energy in planning and selecting materials – and let others do the work.
