Take Care When Doing DIY

“Gas work is by law a job only for those who are CORGI registered. There are also new regulations dealing with what electrical work you can carry out on your home before notifying your local authority’s Building Control Department and employing an expert.

“Power tools can be a problem if instructions are not followed and protective gear not worn. People are even buying chainsaws to use in their gardens these days, and yet someone using one for work would need to have proper training.”

RoSPAs top tips for DIY safety

Over ambition and lack of knowledge are two of the biggest factors in causing death and injury related DIY accidents.

• Be realistic and don’t tackle a job unless you really have the ability. A competent, qualified person should always carry out gas and electrical renewal or repair work.
• Keep any tools clean and in good repair, and give each one a quick check over before you use it.
• Plan ahead - Make sure you have the skills, tools, materials and time to do a job properly. DIY fans often made mistakes while rushing jobs when they were tired.
• Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes when mowing the lawn and keep your feet and hands well away from the mower blades.
• Stop and disconnect all electrical appliances and tools before working on them.
• Ensure that all tools, paint and chemicals are kept safely out of the reach of children.
• Take extra care with sharp cutting tools.
• Follow makers’ instructions very carefully when using adhesives, especially the instant type.
• Use an RCD – residual current device – if your home is not already wired as standard.
• Keep children and pets away when carrying out DIY.

The top tools for accidents are:
1, Knives and scalpels (20,000 accidents in the UK each year);
2, Saws (15,000);
3, Grinders (6,500);
4, Hammers (6,000);
5, Chisels (4,000);
6, Screwdrivers (3,500);
7, Power Drills (3,000);
8= Axes, Planes and Welding Equipment (2,000).

DIY materials claiming victims are:
1, Wood, chipboard etc (30,000 accidents);
2, Paving/Concrete Blocks (20,000);
3, Nails (15,000); 4, Metal bars, sheets etc (13,000);
5, Bricks (8,000);
6, Paint and paint pots (4,000);
7, Glue, paste etc (3,000);
8= Screws and Floor/Wall Tiles (2,500);
10, Wallpaper (1,500).

What you need to tell your insurer
If you opt to extend your home or install a new central heating system, tell your insurer. The value of the sum insured is likely to have changed and your policy will need to be adjusted accordingly. If you don’t inform your insurer of any new home improvements, they can refuse to pay out in the event of a claim, leaving you to foot the bill.

Looking ahead
At renewal time, shop around for alternative quotes. Many house insurers specialise in insuring different, specific types of risk. Know what you want to buy and don’t be misled by optional extras that you don’t need. By shopping around you can significantly improve your chances of finding the right product at a suitable price. Use an online insurer comparison service such as the Tiscali Insurancewide.com HomeWizard to find the most suitable and RELEVANT insurer. Price is not the only factor to consider. Relevance and previous success rates with your type of ‘risk’ profile are important too.