Doing DIY Without Hurting Yourself

Are you one of those people who make the most of sunny days to do DIY or gardening?
Above all, watch out for your hands!

Very common hand injuries!

A study carried out in 9 major hospitals in the Netherlands by the Dutch Association of Plastic Surgery (NVPC) showed that the number of "DIYers" injured in the hands rises sharply during the "sunny" months. In a large number of cases (300 cases a month in the Netherlands), the injury is serious and requires an amputation (25% of cases), particularly of the thumb and/or index finger!

A large number of cases are linked to the use of garden equipment (lawnmower, pruning shears, shredder, ...) and electric saws, but also to utility knives used incorrectly or too forcefully.

How to avoid the worst?

Are you starting a DIY project? Doing small jobs around your home? Maintaining your garden?

Here are a few tips to avoid injuring yourself:

• If you're using a tool for the first time, read the instruction manual, especially if you need to assemble the tool yourself before its first use. Many people don't have the patience to follow the assembly instructions, which can lead to incorrect assembly and therefore a risk when using it.
• Online, you'll find plenty of short films or videos explaining how to do things and giving you lots of tips. Take the time to watch them.
• Follow the maintenance recommendations. Never clean an electrical device while it's still switched on!
• Depending on the risks linked to using the tool (see the instructions): protect your hands (work gloves), your eyes, your feet (sturdy shoes), your ears (hearing protection), ...
• Stay focused: long, repetitive use can lead to a false sense of familiarity and a drop in concentration.
• Make sure you work on a stable, clean surface to avoid falling or slipping, or dropping or slipping with the tool you're using.
• Make sure no one nearby could be injured by your work (think especially of young children who might come close out of curiosity, or pets).
• Get someone to help you if you need to work in an unstable or dangerous position. That way, you'll get help straight away if something happens to you. If you do have to work alone, always keep your mobile phone within reach so you can call for help.
• Be especially careful and cautious if you're working on a ladder.
• Is your work very noisy? Respect your neighbours' rest times and the rules on noise nuisance when doing noisy work outside (e.g. on Sundays and public holidays).

Can't manage it yourself? No worries!

Sometimes the job at hand is too complicated, requires a certain amount of experience, involves risks, or needs specific tools. In that case, you can turn to other options:

• If you need help with your small jobs, you can of course call on a professional*.
• There are also more and more services offered by "handymen"* who carry out small DIY, electrical, plumbing, gardening jobs, and so on.
• Personalised support services such as those offered by House Assist let you call on a professional* network available at short notice.
• And finally: did you know there are also DIY training courses and classes in many towns and regions?

*: ask for a quote

"Back to basics":

a trick for hammering in a nail without hurting yourself!

You're certainly not the first (nor the last) to hit your fingers while trying to hammer in a nail.
A handy trick to avoid hurting yourself: hold the nail firmly upright with pliers or, failing that, a clothes peg, and strike the head of the nail squarely with a not-too-heavy hammer, repeatedly but without full force.

That way, you'll avoid flattening your fingers if you miss the nail! ;-)

First published: February 2015 - Updated: March 2020