Springtime tends to see an increase in hospital visits after a rise in DIY related accidents
With the longer days and dryer weather, it’s the perfect time to get started on those DIY jobs. When done safely and with the right equipment, DIY, or ‘do it yourself’, is a great option for small jobs around your home. It’s a fantastic way to add value to your property and save money at the same time. But, before you head to your local hardware store, did you know over 200,000 people are admitted to A&E with DIY injuries every year? These accidents can have serious consequences including; time off work, permanent injury and the costs involved in fixing jobs gone wrong.
With YouTube and Google, there are thousands of ‘how to’ videos available for every job. Following these videos is a great idea in principle, but how do you know the person who made the video is an expert? Is it worth putting the safety of yourself and your family in the hands of a total stranger? The number of people who follow health and safety guidelines when doing jobs at home is small. When was the last time you tested your extension leads or changed the blade of your hacksaw? Do you know how to? The older generation was raised to fix things themselves, so it may be a good idea to ask parents or grandparents for advice before tackling any job. You can stay safe by following these simple tips.
Ladders.
48,000 people , half the capacity of Wembley Stadium, are admitted to hospital following a fall from a ladder every year.
Here are some handy tips to help you stay safe:
Power Tools.
5% of all accidents are caused by power-tools, these include; amputations, lacerations and puncture wounds.
Eye Injuries.
Over 20,000 people , just under the entire population of Gibraltar, are admitted to A&E with eye injuries every year in the UK.
Call in the professionals.
With any job that you are thinking of doing, remember that the professionals have had health and safety training and must adhere to strict guidelines. Some jobs are simply too big to do yourself and for these it will always be better, and safer, to call in the professionals.
If you are drilling through a wall and are unsure if there are any electric cables behind it, always call an expert. If you drill through a mains power cable, you risk electrocution and thousands of pounds worth of damage to your home.
Planning on knocking through a wall? Get a professional in to double check you won’t be doing any structural damage to your property. Damaging the structure of your property could invalidate your insurance or cause problems when the time comes to sell. Year on year the escape of water is the largest insurance claim made, so if you are planning any plumbing projects, big or small, it may be a good idea to get the professionals in first.
DIY is fun, but accidents can be costly, not just to your body, but to your bank account. So, be safe and if a job is too big, call an expert!
Hand tools.
10% of all accidents are cuts from hand tools such as knives, chisels and screwdrivers. To cut down the risk follow these simple tips:
Here are some recent accident statistics:
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