DIY injuries 'set to increase'

Article date : 12/08/2010

As the economy emerges from the financial downturn, more UK homeowners look set to attempt improvements to their property themselves in an attempt to save money.

However, this has resulted in a prediction that the number of people sustaining injuries from DIY jobs will also go up.

Indeed, one DIY enthusiast from Bury was recently taken to hospital suffering from severe burns following an explosion in his home.

It was found that fumes from his tile sealer ignited, blowing out four windows of his property and causing the roof to rise.

Attempting to carry out work on central heating systems without the necessary qualifications could also result in an explosion, while fire and carbon monoxide leaks are other risks that Britons who attempt these jobs face.

With this in mind, people should only ever contact a boiler engineer from the Gas Safe Register to install, remove, repair or service their gas appliances.

Michael Holmes, spokesperson for the National Home Improvement Show, said: "As the threat of a double dip recession continues, it is expected that the number of people suffering injury while undertaking home improvements will increase significantly in order to save money."

Written by Tony Harrison

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