DIY work doesn't always go according to plan, and you can end up injuring yourself. Here are some easy tips to make DIY a little easier and less dangerous!
1. When hammering in a nail, hold onto it with a peg or a hair pin to reduce the risk of hitting your fingers (or thumb). You could also hold it in place with a blob of BluTack.
2. Always protect your eyes from flying debris with safety goggles.
3. If you’ve got a screw that just won’t budge, stick the screwdriver in the slot of the screw then give it a sharp tap with a hammer. You’ll loosen any rust or paint holding the screw, making it easier to turn and less likely to slip.
4. When using a handsaw, extend your index finger and hold the handle in a ‘pistol’ grip. This will make your sawing more accurate, and safer.
5. If you’re working with a ladder, make sure it’s stable before you climb. Never try to overreach - always take the time to get down and move it.
6. When drilling into tiles, stick a piece of masking tape onto the tile where you want to make the hole. This will stop the drill bit from sliding across the tile.
7. If you have some tree branches to prune that you can’t quite reach, attach lengths of PVC pipe over the handles of your pruning shears and tape them in place. This will extend your reach without having to climb up a ladder.
8. Stripped screw head that you need to unscrew? Place a rubber band over the head of the screw for extra grip and unscrew as normal.
9. Prevent painful blisters when raking up leaves in the garden by wrapping bubble wrap around the rake handle.
10. Attach bulldog or foldback clips to electrical cords and then hang them on hooks to eliminate trip hazards.
