I feel this is something we all need to keep in mind. I dont think this is a topic that is discussed enough especially for the home grower. Now you may hear all about safety on a job site or company meetings where ever you may be. But what about grow room safety? I’ll bring up a couple topics and ways I try to prevent them from happening and would like to hear more input or topics from EVERYONE. I love to hear stories so let’s hear one of yours that we can learn from.
FIRE SAFETY:
Did you know splashing water on hot glass can make it shatter? When glass shatters it is like a bomb going off. Sending shrapnel everywhere. That hot glass could get in your eyes, face, ears, anywhere on your body and seriously burn you or even get loged into your skin and need to be cut out. That same glass doesnt just go after you. It will undiscrimitly get on your plants and anything in the vicinity or the blast radius potentially causing paper, dry vegetation or clothes to combust and catch on fire.
Fire requires 3 things. Fuel, heat or ignition source and oxygen. Remove any one of those and you wont have fre. Loose connections or overloading extension cords past their rated amperage for their given gauge of wire could create arcs, melt wires and arc or blow breakers. Those sparks from the arcs could again get on dry vegetation, paper, wood frames or walls and start a fire. It only takes on spark to start a fire and then where would you be? Potentially homeless or loss of grow shed or even worse loss of a life or pet.
I bring this up because it is my #1 fear of my grow and I try to keep any safety issues in check so I can sleep in peace without the fear of having a fire in the middle of the night.
So one thing I like to do is wrap all my connections with electrical tape to keep anything thing from being able to come unplugged. Another thing I like to do is put 2 screws everywhere there is an outlet and use a rubber band or hair tie to keep the plug in the outlet. This helps keep the plug secure when anything passes it or brushes against it potentially unplugging it. When I water I use a hose and siphon the water down to the plants. This way I keep my bucket in a secure location and dont have to worry about having to move it around as I scoop water out with a coffee pot or whatever you choose. On another note watering with a hose allows you to do more targeted watering and get it where you truly want it to go. Keeping the water from splashing around and getting on my light is key. It’s something I dont want to happen. I’ll do a demonstration video if this gets enough attention.
ACHES, STRAINS, TRIPS AND FALLS:
This one should bring more common sense then in fire science. Lifting those big ass bags of media or 5 gal bucket of water isnt the lightest thing in our grow rooms. So using proper lifting techniques is a must so you dont hurt your back, arms or legs. Doing a little stretching before doing any work is beneficial. You are constantly bending over reaching over or lifting so why not take a minute or 2 to stretch. You body will thank you for it that first time you do something strenuous.
This goes back to fire safety but dont leave a bunch of cords or debris in the walk way. Try to minimize any trip hazards. It only takes one fall and your down for weeks. Even a young guy like me can get a serious injury from tripping over something. Keep a tighty work area. It will be a more enjoyable work space.
So these are just a couple examples and hopefully just a start to a bigger conversation to keep everyone safe with minimal accidents. I’d hate to hear someones having to shut down their operation cause of a mess up.
Agreed always make sure electrical is not pulling to much from same outlet… Electrical tape and protective material always… Always lift with legs not your back when dead weight lifting… like doing a squat 
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Fire solution with preservation of plants I. Mind = Halon fire suppression, I plan to buy one for my grow soon. $4000 for a room my size. Halon eats oxygen and kills all fire without water ,co2 or any other debris. It’s what museums ,labs,banks etc use.also in every kitchen above the fryer
Man when i bought my house. I installed micro smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors and then i installed fire extinguishers in every room so i have 10 total. And there on quick release brackets. Grab and run it comes off that easy! And i dont know what you all are using but EYE PROTECTION is a must i use lights that can burn your eyes permanently as most of the light we all use are not good for your eyes. I have 2 pairs of glasses one for me and 1 for my guest. But really no one is allowed down in my lab without an escort ever!
Excellent topic that not many people think about or talk about. Some other points to mention is substances and chemicals one uses to grow such as perlite which is nontoxic but could cause irritation to eyes and may even induce asthma in sensitive people. Rockwool is another potentially dangerous substance for that can get into your eyes, skin, mouth and nose causing irritation.
Always good to have an electrician or atleast a basic understanding of electricity when wiring your own lights. I survived many electrocutions!!!
Most important is to wear safety gear and have a comprehensive understanding of the equipment and mediums you are using.
But most importantly dont get caught, that is probably the most dangerous thing about growing weed!!!
I agree for most here in Canada most don’t have fire issues or from cops but robbers are the real danger.i have found ppl are willing to fight rather than flee when ppl enter their homes,often things get out of hand and they don’t know when the “legally subdued” the invader and end up in legal trouble for how the detained them or how many times they strikes the person it’s a fine line here and in the heat of the moment judgement is not very clear.often sending both ppl to the same prison lol go figure…
Thankfully I dont have to worry about the cops. I have a 99 plant medical recommendation lol $125 is well worth the insurance and peace of mind. I have a 2 abc fire extinguishers in my house. One in the entry way and one in between the kitchen and garage. Then I also have one in my truck and the old ladies car. You never know when you could use it. I put a garbage truck out that was on fire one day on lunch. The city said they would replace my extinguisher but never did. I dont wear glasses in my rooms but I certainly should. I have a pair for the LEDs and my regular sunglasses that work great for the mh and hps. My mom is blind and I think I’ll be there one day so I probably should take care of my eyes while I can. Halon fire suppressors. I haven’t heard of them but I assume they just replace the oxygen in the air? That is a pretty kick ass system. I wonder what it would take to set up a garage.
Halon is the best. no powder mess after. But if your in it when it goes off and it snuffs all the air out of a room. It could snuff you also! I love halon but its a little dangerous in that aspect alone. Other than that it’s fabulous.
A government that would do that is evil and should be over thrown.