Nowadays, the popularity of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects is rising more than ever before. As per stats, 93% of house owners are planning to initiate a DIY project next year, with 43% clearly planning for one.
Even though the trend may seem positive, it actually opens up a Pandora’s box of potential dangers. Check out five common risks associated with DIY projects and how to mitigate them effectively.
Physical Injuries
The most common risk of DIY projects is physical injury. Even the most simple projects may cause severe injuries like head trauma, broken bones, etc. According to statistics, approximately 37% of DIY injuries are caused by manual tools. Most of them arise from improper usage of tools.
Sometimes, a tool may have manufacturing defects, which first-timers cannot detect. For instance, a hammer with a poorly secured head might seem functional at first but could suddenly detach mid-swing to cause serious injuries. An experienced professional may have the expertise to spot such issues right at first sight, but that’s not the case for common householders.
Both your professional and personal life may be affected by such injuries. If you have ever fallen victim to such accidents due to faulty tools or defective equipment, you must consider consulting a personal injury lawyer.
Personal injury lawyers will help you get the compensation you deserve. As per TorHoerman Law, a personal injury law has been designed if you have been injured due to someone’s failure to act.
Such law specifically mentions the legal liability of manufacturers to compensate for the injuries suffered by customers due to the defects of the product.
Electrical Risks
Wiring your home may seem simple after watching a tutorial. But in reality, electrical DIY comes up with many dangers like short circuits, electrical fires, etc. As per estimates, over 350,000 people are injured each year from DIY electrical accidents at home.
Let’s take the case of replacing a light fixture. Simply turning off the light switch won’t be of any use. In such cases, even touching exposed wires can send a dangerous amount of current through your body. Many people do not even know how to turn the breaker off at the panel, which is the first safety step to electrical work.
Yet another mistake is buying the wrong wire size from the store. Each appliance requires different gauges of wire to carry the appropriate amount of current. If you choose a wire that’s too small, it can overheat and lead to a fire. Therefore, it is often better to hire a licensed electrician for such tasks to avoid these serious hazards.
Exposure To Harmful Chemicals
Many people don’t realize that certain paints, varnishes, etc., contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They can release dangerous fumes into the air, which may trigger respiratory issues like asthma.
When removing old paint, you might expose yourself to lead dust. This may lead to lead poisoning. Gradually, you may develop the symptoms of anemia and kidney damage.
Therefore, you must ensure a well-ventilated spacing while working with materials like paint strippers. Similarly, try to wear adequate protective gear, such as masks and gloves. It is always better to outsource the painting works of older homes to professionals as they have higher chances of lead-based paints.
Structural Mistakes
Nowadays, some DIY advocates even take a step further by handling structural projects like building walls or decks themselves. Unfortunately, most of them may not have the technical knowledge required for the process.
For example, when building a deck, it’s not enough to simply secure the posts into the ground. You need to ensure that the load-bearing elements can handle the weight of people.
Remember, walls and decks are not just aesthetics; they play a crucial role in keeping your house safe. Building them unscientifically only from a visual perspective can lead to dangerous outcomes like collapsing structures.
Lack of Permits and Code Violations
Home improvement is the most popular DIY project (31%). However, most of them often require the approval of concerned local government bodies. It is established to ensure that any modifications made to a property are safe and meet local standards. That’s why authorities have set up a code system for each house to encourage them to comply with the standards.
Many legal issues may arise if you fail to abide by these regulations. You may face fines or even be forced to undo the work. As a result, all your hard work and money spent may get wasted.
DIY projects are obviously a cost-effective way for home improvements that offer a sense of accomplishment. But they come up with severe risks that are not to be taken lightly. Therefore, you must ensure proper safety measures and protective gear before committing to a DIY task, no matter how simple it seems. Above all, remember that safety should always come first in any DIY project.
