Summer Home-Repair Sessions Can Prove Hazardous to Health

Ah, summer. When your fantasies turn to lazy days at the beach or leisurely drives up the coast.

And reality keeps you at home, where the ceilings need paint, the walls need paper and your flower beds look abused.

Fix-up sessions can leave do-it-yourselfers sore, stiff or--worst-case scenario--in the emergency room.

“People tend to be clumsy during home-repair sessions because they are not used to doing it,” says Dr. John Schugt, assistant director of the emergency department at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

* Falls are one of the most common hazards while working around the house, says Dr. Alexander Lampone, medical director of the emergency department at St. John’s Hospital and Health Center, Santa Monica. Falls from ladders can result in anything from minor scrapes to major trauma. Assess your symptoms to decide if you need professional help.

* Muscle soreness and strains are common after activities like painting, ladder climbing or wallpapering, which require repetitive use of muscle groups that ordinarily might be little used. “First ice the strain and stretch gently,” Lampone advises. Apply heat only 24 hours or so after the injury.

* Working in excessive heat can bring on heat exhaustion, in which overexposure to the heat causes fatigue, sometimes to the point of collapse. Besides fatigue, symptoms can include faintness, nausea and pale, clammy skin. Seeking medical attention is wise because it might progress to heat stroke, a more serious and life-threatening condition in which the body can become dangerously overheated.

Severe sunburn is another problem. “People forget sun block while working in the yard,” says Schugt.

* Mishaps spurred by a lack of coordination, such as a hammer strike to the thumb, are usually minor. But if blood appears under the nail after impact, Schugt says you should see a doctor and have the blood released. This will also relieve the pain, he says.

Puncture wounds also pose a threat of tetanus, a serious disease caused by infection of a wound with bacteria known as Clostridium tetani. If the skin is broken, the need for tetanus immunization should be considered. If you have not had a booster tetanus shot for several years, your doctor might recommend one. Boosters are recommended by many experts at least every 10 years.

Infection is another complication of puncture wounds, so watch for excessive redness or swelling.

* Chemicals used in household cleaning and repair materials pose their own dangers. “Wet, fresh plaster is very alkali,” Lampone says. When it is rubbed inadvertently into the eye, it can cause major corneal burning and scarring. People often mix cleaning substances, another mistake. One of the most common--and hazardous--combinations is bleach and ammonia.

Most household mishaps can be easily avoided by taking a few simple precautions. Lampone and Schugt suggest:

* Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes while doing repair work.

* Have a buddy system, especially if you are climbing ladders or doing roof work.

* Use proper lifting and carrying techniques to prevent strains, especially to the back.

* When plastering, sanding, or doing other work that releases dust or other particulates into the air, wear eye protection and a mask.