Life Hack: How to avoid injuring yourself while doing DIY jobs at home

Don't cost yourself more in the long-term

A key consideration for all DIYers should be ensuring that they wear protective items when using power tools and sharp objects.

Sunnier days have many of us more willing to take on home improvement jobs ourselves but a few emails have landed in my inbox in recent weeks that remind Irish DIYers why it is important to be careful when it comes to property maintenance.

According to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by insurance broker Gallagher, nearly half of Irish people rate their DIY abilities at two stars or less, and 12% of those surveyed admit to having zero skills. Interestingly, men were four times more likely than women to rate themselves five-star DIYers and twice as likely to consider themselves four-star. It’s a statistic that caught the attention of the insurance company too.

“What’s really striking here is the gender gap in self-assessed ability — nearly 60% of women rated themselves as two stars or less, compared to just 41% of men. Whether that points to a lack of confidence or ability in women is up for debate,” said Geraldine Kelly, head of personal lines at Gallagher.

“There seems to be a confidence divide at play. Whether it’s exposure, education, or tradition, men are more likely to back themselves with a spanner. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re doing better jobs.”

Similarly, last month, Specsavers shared research it commissioned that revealed more than two-thirds of adults in Ireland have suffered a DIY-related accident. Its survey found that more than half of Irish DIYers have suffered splinters, while others have accidentally hammered fingers, tripped over something, or dropped something on their feet. Other common accidents on the list included cutting yourself on sharp tools, superglueing fingers together, and getting an electric shock.

Many years ago, my father accidentally cut his pinky finger off when an electric saw slipped out of his hand (a swift visit to A&E saw it reattached, thankfully) so I’m very aware of the risks when taking on certain projects at home.

“While minor mishaps are part of any DIY journey, the most successful projects consider proper preparation — including appropriate safety measures,” said Kerril Hickey, chairman of Specsavers Ireland.

“Taking simple precautions like wearing protective eyewear and hearing protection allows DIYers to take on their projects with total confidence.”

A key consideration for all DIYers should be ensuring that they wear protective items when using power tools and sharp objects.

“Completing projects gives us such a fantastic sense of accomplishment. We just need to remember to take the necessary precautions and look after ourselves at the same time — a weekend project is never worth a trip to A&E,” Mr Hickey said, adding that Specsavers would “strongly encourage DIY enthusiasts to put their safety first and take steps to prevent avoidable injury”.

Protective items to consider include eyewear, as recommended by Specsavers. The firm has a new range of safety eyewear, which is included in the chain’s two-for-one offer.

With many DIYers dropping things on their feet, protective footwear is a must. Safety boots with reinforced toe caps are available in hardware shops and will protect your toes from mishaps.

A face mask can help to protect your lungs when small particles are in the air, such as when sawing or spraying. Ear defenders can be worn to soften loud noises on the eardrum, while hard hats are a great option to protect your head from falling items from overhead.

The Specsavers survey noted that half of us have turned to DIY to save money but experts at Gallagher warn that poor DIY can cost you in the long run. From an insurance standpoint, poor DIY work can result in damage to the property, which may not be covered by a home policy if it is linked to lack of maintenance or improper repairs.

“Homeowners should be mindful that general upkeep is their responsibility, and neglecting it can lead to serious and costly issues over time,” Ms Kelly added. “In many cases, calling a professional may be the safer and more cost-effective option. A cautious approach is a smart one. DIY can be rewarding but knowing when to step back and  call a professional could save you a lot of stress and money in the long run.”