Duct Tape Safety

Duct tape is a product that was originally meant for taping duct work together when other methods weren't appropriate. However, this tape has become a kind of fix-all method for do it yourselfers, and there are a number of bizarre applications that this tape has. But it's important to use it safely and properly.

Allergies

• Some people are allergic to the adhesive material in duct tape. The allergy usually results in a redness and swelling in the area of the skin where the adhesive touched, and it may be followed by blistering. It's important to know if you have an adhesive allergy before working with duct tape.

Tightness

• Duct tape is often used to help hold on gauze pads or other types of bandage. It's important, when you're applying the duct tape, that you don't pull it too tightly. If you do it may cut off circulation to the area, which could, in turn, create problems.

Smooth Application

• Whenever it's applied, duct tape should be put on smoothly with no bubbling or air pockets trapped beneath the tape. If there are sections of the tape that aren't actually adhering to the surface then you aren't getting the tape's full gripping action. This could lead, in some circumstances, to the tape coming off and the object it was meant to hold together coming apart.

Visibility

• In some cases it's important that duct tape is visible. Stage applications or safety equipment are two instances where this might be true. It's important that duct tape come in bright, easily seen colors, or that it be glow-in-the-dark (which is possible) if it's going to be used to mark out areas where people should or shouldn't be.

Wart Remover

• Duct tape also has practical health applications, including wart removal. If duct tape is placed over a wart for six days (more might be necessary) and then peeled away it often removes the wart, or softens it up to be completely removed. A wart is nothing more than a skin infection, and the duct tape adheres to it and pulls it out.