Home improvements are often left for the property professional and, for many people, any DIY project can be something of a daunting prospect. Plumbing, electrics and plastering are likely to be beyond most home owners, particularly when considered alongside factors such as personal safety, Building Control and the time it will take to complete the job alongside paid employment. Not to mention the tools that you might need to invest in.
With time on its hands, the nation has turned to home improvements during the Covid pandemic lockdowns, resulting in thousands of household injuries and admissions to hospital. The number of accidents in England actually fell during 2020/21, as people spent more time at home during lockdowns. However, over 5,600 domestic users of electrical hand tools required medical help from hospitals after attempting a home DIY project. Non-electrical hand tools such as saws or hammers caused a further 2,700 people to seek medical help.
Home DIY was not the only case of increases in accidents, indeed almost 350 people were admitted to hospital thanks to their lawn mower. The kitchen was even more hazardous, with over 2,000 accidents involving hot liquids and fats.
People also turned to exercise, and playgrounds were the root of over 5,000 hospital admissions. The average age of nine and a half is perhaps not unexpected, but there were eight hospital admissions of people over the age of 90.
Our increased interest in pets caused its own problems, and over 7,000 people were admitted to hospital after an altercation with their dog. Another 60 came into contact with venomous spiders and one 90 year old woman was bitten by a crocodile.
Despite the gloomy prospect of a night or more in hospital, there are some jobs that you can do yourself, with a little guidance, that may save you lots of money. There is plenty of online advice on how to tackle a DIY project or when to call in a property professional – but, even here, we’ve found a few jobs that the home owner may well have been better doing themselves! A radiator installed diagonally up a home’s stairs, and a copper pipe installed around a wall clock are two that caught our surveyor’s eye – Facebook forums are a great place if you have the inclination to find a few more.