| The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today said the Easter bank holiday weekend traditionally signalled the start of the do-it-yourself season and often saw amateur joiners and decorators ending up in hospital after having an accident.
Among the litany of injuries that have occurred over the years are broken legs and arms from ladder falls, cuts from craft knives and bruised hands from mis-placed hammer blows.
Amateur DIY-ers attempting to carry out electrical and gas works in their own homes has also led to a number of deaths.
The latest figures available for DIY accidents show more than 200,000 people were hospitalised in the UK in one year alone following a botched home repair.
Jo Stagg of RoSPA said today qualified tradesmen should always be brought in for jobs involving electrics or gas works.
She said, “As well as the relatively minor bumps and scrapes we know people suffer during DIY, sadly we do also hear about people being seriously hurt or even killed while they are working on their home.
“When any activity becomes more popular, it’s to be expected there will be a rise in the number of people being injured — obviously something we are keen to avoid with DIY during the current economic downturn.
“Accidents happen more easily when you’re unprepared and rushing, so our advice is to think through the tasks you intend to do before you start work.
“As well as being honest about your abilities, make sure you have the right tools for the job and that they are in good repair.
“Remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes, and check the instructions that come with the tools or materials you will be using to see if any protective gear is recommended.”
Further safety advice is available at www.rospa.com |
