DIY accidents are all too common - eager home renovators need to be aware of the risks and be willing to ask for help, if necessary
IN MARCH 1999, comedian Rod Hull, famous for his sketch with Emu, a highly aggressive puppet, was watching the Champions League quarter-final between Manchester United and Inter Milan. The picture quality on his TV became increasingly fuzzy, so Hull climbed on to the roof to adjust the aerial. He lost his footing and fell to his death.
Hull was not the first, and probably will not be the last, to die attempting to fix something in the home.
Around 70 people in the UK die each year as a result of DIY accidents, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). And then there are the injuries - big and small. Around 100,000 people visit a casualty department each year with DIY-related injuries; 40,000 people go to hospital following accidents related to ladders or stepladders; 20,000 accidents are caused by knives and scalpels each year; and 4,000 people each year report accidents involving paint and paint pots.
Figures for DIY accidents in Ireland are hard to come by. The Health and Safety Authority's remit covers workplaces but does not extend to domestic situations.
"There are not many statistics on DIY participation in Ireland, but there is one indication that more people are taking on DIY projects - accident rates," says a spokesman for 4Home superstores, the Irish-owned DIY chain.
"Between 1998 and 2002, AE departments across Ireland saw the proportion of DIY-related accidents more than double, from 2.4 per cent to 5.8 per cent."
The figures for 2002 from Euromonitor International show a growing number of women involved in DIY accidents, indicating that more and more women are attempting DIY jobs.
But the figures from 1998 and 2002 both show a marked rise in men's DIY injuries in the 45-64 retirement age group. Age, particularly in men, can be one of the prime reasons behind accidents, says Roger Vincent, spokesman for the RoSPA.
"As you get older, you find that you are not as game as you used to be getting up a ladder and you have to be honest with yourself about your own capabilities," he says. "Slips, trips and falls are the most common accident we have all the way through our lives and obviously a fall from a height would be one of the more serious accidents you can have. Even a fall from a relatively low height can end up killing somebody if they strike their head off something."
While a breakdown in figures for DIY accidents among the sexes is not available, Vincent says that men tend to be more accident prone in general.
"In reality, throughout life men have more accidents than women - from when they are children right the way through to later life when you see more women appearing in the accident stats because women are outlasting men in age. Generally, men will have more accidents than women."
In many cases, a macho attitude among men can lead them undertaking jobs for which they are not qualified, he says.
"The possibility is that men want to appear macho at times and they don't want to call in somebody else - they want to do everything themselves," he says. "They don't want to admit defeat, or say that somebody might be better at a job than they are."
The popularity of house makeover programmes on TV has led to more people attempting DIY jobs.
"In the makeover programmes, people forget that behind the scenes they have got qualified people who, if something goes wrong, can sort it out for them, says Vincent.
Lack of preparation, tiredness, rushing jobs or cutting corners, over-ambition and lack of knowledge or experience, particularly with power tools, are the main factors behind serious injury and death from accidents about the house.
"Obviously for a lot of people, DIY can be therapeutic, but if you undertake a particularly arduous job after a long day's work, you might be asking for trouble," says Vincent.
Hand and finger amputation are common injuries from improper or unsafe use of power tools, many of which can be easily rented at hire shops or bought from DIY retailers.
"You obviously need to ask for a demonstration on how it works so you are confident that you will be able to use it properly and safely," says Vincent. "And ask for any safety equipment that may be necessary to go with it, like goggles, gloves, ear defenders or masks. A lot of accidents happen when people don't read the instructions."
Inhalation of fumes from chemicals, paints, glues and building materials can also be very dangerous.
"Protect your lungs from dust, as well as from invisible fumes," advises a spokeswoman for DIY chain BQ. "There are breathing masks designed to provide different degrees and types of protection, from a simple gauze to screen out fine particles to a full facial respirator to isolate the wearer from poisonous fumes."
Particular care should be taken when renovating older buildings, experts say. Asbestos is banned in building materials today, but was used in many buildings in the 1960s and 1970s. Exposure to it can lead to a range of serious conditions, including cancer.
"If you have got any doubts about it, call in an expert," says Vincent.
Top five DIY safety tips: from 4Home superstores
• Dress for safety. Sturdy clothing, work boots, and gloves will protect you - and wear safety glasses whenever you use power tools, hammers, or other striking or cutting tools. Wear protective clothing including safety goggles, gloves and dust mask when working with potentially hazardous materials such as glass or spray paint.
• Always use the correct tools for the job. It is worth investing in high-quality equipment as this will be safer, and will probably do the job quicker. Store tools in a safe place, out of the way of children and pets. Keep tools clean and in good repair, and give each one a quick check over before you use it.
When using power tools, be sure to follow all precautions stated in the manual.
Always unplug the tool before servicing or adjusting it, and when you're finished with the task at hand. Keep drill bits, blades, and cutters sharp. Dull tools require extra force and can bind, making the tools dangerous.
• Ladders are one of the main causes of DIY accidents. Erect the ladder according to the manufacturer's instructions. When using a ladder, position it on a flat, firm surface. As you climb or reach, keep your weight centred. Do not lean out to one side, keep your hips between the rails and never stand on the top two rungs.
• Protect yourself against exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials. Many varnishes, strippers, solvents, preservatives, adhesives, and other products used to accomplish projects contain hazardous ingredients. Pay attention to all label warnings, including instructions about proper ventilation. For some materials or situations, a certified respirator is a must.
• When fixing or checking electrical appliances or connections, always switch off the power and remove the fuse or circuit breaker (MCB).
If you're fixing an electrical appliance, switch off the appliance at the socket and pull out the plug. Wear rubber-soled shoes when working on electrics.
Do your own electrical work only if you have the necessary knowledge. Be sure to shut off the power before working on a circuit. Use a circuit tester to make sure a circuit is not active after you have shut off the power. Never work on a live circuit, fixture, outlet, or switch.