DIY disasters

Doing up or developing your home yourself can be great fun and can help avoid the cost of bringing in the professionals – just as long as you take adequate care and follow the advice below. Plus with Direct Line Home Insurance and Accidental Damage, you can rest assured knowing that we can cover you if something does go wrong…

DIY is big business and increasing numbers of people are turning to their toolbox to do up their homes. When things go right, it can be a proud moment to know you’ve done it yourself. However, accidents do also happen: the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimates that there are more than 200,000 accidents a year associated with work around the house. The main culprits are tools and machinery, sending more than 87,000 people to casualty, with splinters, dust and other particles coming a close second. Their hit list even includes wallpaper!

But according to RoSPA, many of these accidents could be avoided. DIY enthusiasts just need to spend a bit more time planning and making sure safety precautions are followed by all involved. If a job is too big or dangerous – with gas, plumbing, roofing and electric work, for example – then you should bring in the experts. For certain jobs, this is the law, so check first. In all other cases, you can help avoid DIY disasters by following the advice below. For specific advice it’s worth asking a professional or consulting a website such as www.diydoctor.org.uk or www.diyfixit.co.uk first.

Staying safe on the job

• Don’t rush
  RoSPA statistics show that more people make mistakes on a DIY job when they are tired or rushing around. If you don’t feel up to it, save the job until tomorrow – chances are you’ll do it quicker and better anyway.
• MOT your equipment first
  Before you begin, check flexes and guards are secure, that ladders aren’t wobbly or broken (this accounts for 30,000 casualties a year) and that any equipment you buy or hire meets approved safety standards. Always read the safety manual and follow instructions. If in doubt, seek professional advice first – your local DIY shop can probably give you a demo if you need more hands-on instructions.
• Stay protected
  Protective gear is often overlooked but is one of the most essential requirements. It should include safety glasses or goggles to protect eyes from debris, paint and fumes, plus sensible shoes in case objects fall or there are sharp items on the floor. In some cases, you may also need gloves.
• Watch your back
  If bending to lift heavy equipment or objects, then the rule is to bend your knees to lower your body down to it. Arching over puts unnecessary strain on your spine. If the object is too heavy, admit it and ask someone to help.
• Ventilate well
  If you’re using paint or glue that creates fumes, then make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated – and wear a mask.
• Look out for others
  Keep children and pets away from any work that you do to avoid them coming into contact with dangerous materials or equipment. This includes ladders that could be tempting for them to climb on.
• Respect the electrics
  Electricity is probably the most dangerous element of your house when doing DIY. Make sure you keep all electrical equipment away from water. Watch for trailing wires and if you are going to be drilling in walls, remember there could be cables behind that need to be located. The law now requires that if you are attempting any electrical installations at home you must get the job tested by a fully qualified electrician and get a Minor Works Certificate. It is therefore advisable to get an expert to do the whole job.
• Cover yourself
  If things do go wrong – you spill paint on the carpet – it’s good to know any damage done can be covered by your home insurance policy. Add Accidental Damage Cover to your Direct Line Home Buildings and Contents Insurance, (this cover is included as standard on a Direct Line Home Insurance Plus policy), and you are insured against DIY disasters plus damage to items such as furniture, ornaments and carpets. If you are covered for home emergencies under our Home Response 24 service, (or our Home Emergency cover which is provided as standard with Direct Line Home Insurance Plus), you also have access to thousands of skilled tradesmen at competitive rates, 24 hours a day.

Go online and you can get a home insurance quote for Direct Line Home Buildings and Contents Insurance today.