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The home improvement market has boomed in the past few years with many of us trying our hand at DIY while we were stuck at home during COVID-19.
If you are looking to save a little bit of money, DIY is a great way to save on expensive professional fees and give your home a new look. You do, however, need to ensure that you take all the necessary precautions at risk of getting injured.
Use the Correct PPE
The DIY project you are pursuing will determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) you need. For example, if you are sanding walls or flooring, you will need eye protection and respirator masks to ensure that you don’t get any dust particles in your eyes or lungs.
When sanding, the dust produced can often be mixed with other chemicals or even asbestos which can cause breathing problems and in rare cases, cancer.
For jobs where you are using heavier equipment and tools, you should be sure to wear hard shoes such as safety boots which will ensure that you aren’t injured if anything falls onto your feet. If you don’t have safety boots and don’t want to buy any, you should at least ensure that you have some durable and slip-resistant shoes to reduce the risks of trips and falls.
Use the Right Equipment
Using the correct equipment for the job is incredibly important to avoid any accidents and injuries. While not everyone can afford to pay hundreds of pounds for top-end tools, you can rent or hire them from your local hardware store which can help to save you money but ensures that the job is completed effectively.
You should always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using a tool and if you are still unsure there will be plenty of guides or videos online which will ensure that you carry out the job as safely as possible.
However, accidents can still happen and if you have taken all the necessary precautions and do get injured you may be able to seek out a personal injury claim.
Take Your Time
If you are rushing, you are much more likely to have an accident. Organization is key for time management, so feel free to make a list of all the equipment, tools, and materials you need before you begin and take your time going through it and organizing the steps to completion.
You should always give yourself a bit more time than you feel is necessary (remember that you’re just a beginner!) and allow yourself plenty of breaks as drowsiness can cause accidents.
Be aware of your limits while doing DIY and recruit a friend to help with bigger jobs, particularly for those that require using high ladders or moving heavy objects.
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