If you’ve got a DIY head on and are about to break out those sharp and pointy tools, there are two vital things to avoid damaging: yourself and your home! So if your DIY skills are more Mr Bean than Handy Andy, you can protect yourself by following these safety tips and you can protect your home by checking you have adequate home insurance.
Protect Yourself
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents estimates that each year, over 200,000 DIYers turn up at A&E departments, and around 70 people die as a result of a DIY-related incident. It seems that many home improvers are failing to take adequate safety precautions, and some tasks tackled are clearly beyond their reach.
To avoid a trip to casualty, here are some DIY Safety Tips:
- Don’t DIY alone – this way, if you have an accident, help will always be on hand.
- Be extra careful up a ladder – ladder falls account for around 20% of DIY-related hospital admissions.
- Wear protective gear – always wear safety kit that’s appropriate to the job, e.g. safety goggles, gloves or steel toecap boots.
- Take your time – never rush a job, especially when using potentially dangerous tools.
- Mind your back – always protect your back when picking up heavy objects: bend your knees then stand slowly, keeping your back straight at all times. Always get help if possible.
- Never attempt a DIY task when you’re tired.
- Know your limits – if you think a job’s beyond your ability, hire a professional. It may cost more but think what it could cost if you get injured. Also, certain electrical jobs can only be carried out by a qualified electrician.
- If up in the attic, watch out for weak spots. Lay boards across the beams to avoid going through the ceiling.
- Use equipment safely – ensure equipment is fit for use before you start. Also check that equipment carries British or European quality or standard marks. Make sure you’re familiar with the correct and safe use of any tools. Basically, if it comes with a safety manual – read it!
- Avoid inhaling poisonous fumes – check for warning labels on containers (paint, glue, thinners etc) and keep rooms well ventilated.
- If doing a job that’s likely to interfere with the gas, water or electricity, turn off the supply before you begin.
- Be very careful to avoid electrical wiring when drilling through walls.
Protect Your Home
Before tackling any DIY tasks, check your home insurance policy to make sure you’re covered if things go wrong – you may find you’ll need to up your accidental damage cover for both your buildings insurance and contents insurance.
Also, you may not be covered for tackling things like plumbing or electrical work, and doing so could see you accidentally invalidate your home insurance policy. In this case, get a professional tradesman in to do the job. However, if you have workmen on site, you should still notify the home insurance provider beforehand of to check that adequate buildings and contents cover is in place during building works.
Basically, always check with the insurer first, because if things go wrong and you’re not covered, when the bill for your DIY disaster arrives you may have to PIY – that’s Pay It Yourself!
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