RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
April 16, 2003
DIY AND DIGGING DANGERS OF AN EASTER BREAK
DIY and gardening accidents are expected to soar during the Easter break as people spruce up their homes following the wear and tear of winter.
Easter is the first long weekend for thousands of families since the Christmas holiday, and is traditionally the time for repair jobs, decorating and clearing up the lawn and flower beds.
Accidents in the garden and while doing DIY are estimated to lead to more than 500,000 casualties in the UK each year and around 70 deaths.
The most serious incidents are likely to be falls from ladders as people clear out guttering, paint window frames or lop branches from trees.
But failure to take basic safety measures such as wearing, gloves, goggles or masks can result in thousands going to hospital rather than enjoying the holiday at home.
David Jenkins, RoSPA Product Safety Adviser, said: “Simply being a little more tidy could prevent many of these accidents. It is quite common for people to trip over tools and materials or stand on rakes or nails.
“If you leave things lying around, children can pick them up and be hurt copying what you have been doing or swallowing small items such as screws. Many jobs are best done when the children are not around.”
The key to safe DIY and bigger gardening jobs is careful planning – making sure you have the necessary skills to do the work, the time to carry it out without rushing and the right tools and materials for the task. If you are not up to the job, leave it to the professionals – things are not always as easy as they may appear on TV makeover programmes.
Power tools have the potential to cause the most serious injuries. Always use an RCD (residual current device) when operating them, as this will cut off the power quickly if something goes wrong and greatly reduce the risk of electrocution.
When hiring tools ask for a demonstration and enquire about what safety measures are needed. Always read the instructions carefully when using power tools.
Pick up safety leaflets from DIY stores and hire shops and follow their advice.
