Designing your child’s room involves more than just choosing colours; it’s about ensuring their environment is safe and healthy. This includes understanding the potential health risks associated with conventional paints and exploring safer alternatives.
In this article, we delve into child-safe paints and discuss their benefits, including non-toxic, low-VOC, low-odour, and environmentally friendly options like natural paint.
Understanding the Risk: Is Paint Smell Harmful?
When you roll on a fresh coat of paint, and the room fills with that distinct smell, it’s usually a sign of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at work. These harmful chemicals are found in many conventional paints and can evaporate into the air at room temperature, causing the so-called ‘new paint’ smell. But far from being a harmless scent, these chemicals can pose a health risk, particularly to children.
Children, with their developing respiratory systems and smaller body weight, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of these toxins. Short-term exposure can lead to irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, nausea, and, in some cases, dizziness and allergic reactions. More prolonged exposure can contribute to more serious health issues, such as respiratory diseases, constant fatigue, and allergies.
It’s also important to be aware of any pre-existing health conditions your child may have that could worsen with exposure to paint smell, such as asthma or allergies. If this is the case, consult with your child’s doctor before starting any painting projects.
Child-Safe Paints: The Healthy Alternative
To counter these potential health risks, paint manufacturers have introduced safe paints for kids. These paints are subjected to rigorous safety tests and adhere to the highest safety standards, ensuring they’re free from any harmful chemicals. They not only have low VOC content but are also resistant to mould and bacteria. These properties make child-safe paints an ideal choice for your child’s room, providing a healthy environment that promotes their well-being and development.
Below are three excellent options for child-safe paints.
1. Non-Toxic Paints
Non-toxic paints are another step towards creating safer spaces for children. These paints are free from harmful toxins, including lead, mercury, and other hazardous materials often found in traditional paints.
By selecting non-toxic paints, you’re helping to protect your children from potential health risks associated with long-term exposure to these harmful toxins. Moreover, non-toxic paints are easy to clean up with soap and water, making them a practical choice for busy families.
2. Low-Odour and VOC-Free Paints
Low-odour paints are a boon for those sensitive to the strong smell of paint. These paints have a minimal VOC content, significantly reducing fresh paint’s unpleasant and potentially harmful smell.
For the environmentally conscious, low-VOC paints offer the perfect solution. These paints contain virtually zero VOCs, eliminating the risk of inhaling these harmful chemicals. What’s more, VOCs aren’t just dangerous to people; they also contribute significantly to air pollution and play a role in damaging the ozone layer.
3. Environmentally Friendly Paints
Environmentally friendly paints are produced with sustainability in mind. Manufactured from natural, renewable resources, these paints are biodegradable and have a considerably lower carbon footprint than traditional paints. As a result, they allow you to create a healthy environment for your child while also honouring your commitment to a greener planet.
The Ideal Paint Solution for Children’s Rooms
If you’re wondering if there’s a paint brand that checks all three of these boxes, the answer is yes. Earthborn Paints is an excellent choice for children’s rooms due to its eco-friendly, non-toxic, and health-conscious properties.
These paints are virtually VOC-free and allergen-free, ensuring a safer environment for your children. Earthborn’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and fully biodegradable products.
The paints’ breathable nature reduces the risk of dampness and mould, further contributing to a healthier environment. Earthborn also carries the EU Ecolabel – a testament to its environmental and performance standards.
Tips for Painting Your Children’s Room Safely
When choosing safe paints for your children’s room, it’s important to also consider the painting process. Here are some practical tips to ensure the task is carried out safely and that the end result is a beautiful, safe space for your child.
- Read labels carefully: Always take the time to read paint labels thoroughly. Look out for any warning signs and ensure the paint complies with safety standards. The British Coatings Federation (BCF) provides a comprehensive safety guide for paint products.
- Ventilate the room: Good ventilation is essential when painting and for a few days afterwards to allow the paint to dry and any residual odour to dissipate. Keep windows and doors open as much as possible, and use fans to help circulate the air.
- Use protective gear: Even when using safer paints, it’s always wise to use protective gear, such as masks and gloves, to prevent accidental ingestion or skin contact with the paint.
- Keep children and pets away: Keep your children and pets out of the room while you’re painting and until the paint is completely dry. Even safe paints can cause irritation or allergic reactions if they come into direct contact with the skin or eyes.
- Safe storage and disposal: Store any leftover paint safely out of reach of children and pets. When disposing of empty paint cans, follow your local council’s guidelines for the disposal of paint to ensure it’s done safely and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Conclusion
Despite their glossy finishes and extensive colour palettes, conventional paints pose health risks you shouldn’t overlook. Alternatives like non-toxic, low-VOC, low-odour, and environmentally friendly paints present safer choices for our children’s rooms. They offer the perfect balance between vibrant, visually pleasing spaces and ensuring a healthy environment.
So, the next time you’re preparing to transform your child’s room with a splash of colour, remember: safety comes first.
At Greenshop Paints, we specialise in providing customers with natural paints. Our environmentally friendly paint formulas make them ideal for any interior painting project, as our natural paint is healthier and safer than traditional paint.
What’s more, with our wide range of eco-friendly products, you can ensure that you’re doing your part for the environment while still getting stunning results.
