As we approach Health and Safety at Work Awareness Day 2017 on April 28th that promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally, we would like to highlight that at Caledonia Bureau, we promote and create a safety and health oriented culture focusing on accident prevention and general wellbeing.

In light of Health and Safety at Work Awareness Day, we thought it apt to provide some helpful tips and recommendations on one of the UK’s most popular pastimes – DIY in the home. Many simple home maintenance jobs do not require a great deal of time, money or specialised knowledge – for example, a corkscrew is incredibly useful for removing rawlplugs without bringing a huge chunk of plaster out of the wall – an invaluable piece of information, we’re sure you’ll agree!

However, before you get started on any project in the home, whether you’re redecorating a room or embarking upon an more adventurous renovation project, it is important to plan, prepare, do your research where required, and take your time. An expensive home improvement nightmare and potential personal injury is something we would all rather avoid, so here are our top 5 tips to successful DIY in the home to make your life easier and safer!

Invest in good tools

First thing’s first, make sure you have a good set of essential DIY tools for the jobs you may want or need to do around the home. Think about the job ahead and gather all useful tools into a handy box. Keep your toolbox somewhere accessible so you can easily grab it when need be.

Plan and prepare

The reason most people choose to partake in DIY tasks is to save money. Paying contractors can be expensive, and needlessly so for small jobs that most of us can manage. But planning and preparation are key, lest we cause more damage than improvement and end up having to pay someone to fix our mistakes.

Being organised also ensures we’ve thought everything through, have all the essential equipment, and have budgeted accordingly. Planning and preparation also allows us to work out what order to do things in. There’s nothing worse than getting half way through a job and then realising you’ve started with the wrong part of the task, you don’t like your choice of paint colour (tester pots are key!), or you have to go back to the shop to pick up more supplies.

And most importantly, start your DIY project as early in the day as possible in case you need to go back out for supplies or call a plumber or electrician to aid with specialist skills.

Start with simple or urgent jobs

It’s best to tackle the quick and easy projects first. Not only will you gain confidence and be super chuffed with yourself), you’ll learn valuable skills that you can carry through to your next DIY project.

If there is something in your home that requires urgent attention, deal with it as soon as possible to avoid further damage that could prove costly if left too long. Make a list of all the tasks that you need to deal with and tackle them in order of urgency.

Ask questions

Never be afraid to ask questions – it’s better to feel silly for a second, rather than having to call out a contractor to fix a mistake. There’s always someone else who knows more, so tap into their knowledge and wisdom for your own benefit. Sometimes the most simple piece of advice can save so much time and money. You can get advice from DIY books and websites, on forums, from friends and family, and from staff in DIY stores.

It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the room you’re planning to decorate or the thing you need to fix or replace. Take these pictures with you when you go to the paint or hardware store. If you can carry the item that you need to replace or fix, even better. This will save you many a wasted trip.

Stay safe

Above all, be sure not to injure yourself or anyone else! Before embarking on any DIY project in the home, you must take the proper safety precautions.

• Most importantly, take your time and know your limitations. Never be too proud or embarrassed to ask for help or advice – we all have different skills and talents!

• Be careful on ladders. One of the main culprits of DIY accidents is the ladder. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, ensure the ladder is stable and erected on a flat surface, and never lean to one side or try to balance on one foot. Always keep your mobile phone in your pocket in case you lose your balance and fall.

• Never dismiss the importance of wearing protective clothing, such as safety goggles, gloves, and a dust mask. These items are essential when working with potentially hazardous materials (such as glass, fumes, or spray paint) or when working in a dusty environment.

• Ventilate your home efficiently when painting, using toxic fumes, or working with materials that generate fumes or dust. Always avoid smoking and lighting a gas stove in such instances.

• Be very careful if you’re removing textured paint or Artex because they may contain asbestos. When handling and disposing of asbestos (even if you’re unsure if that’s what the material is), contact your local environmental health department for advice.

• Always switch off the power supply and remove fuses and circuit breakers when you’re working with electrical appliances or connections, and wear rubber-soled shoes

• Use the correct tools for the job. This will save time and reduce the risk of injury or causing damage to your home.

• Always cut away from you when using knives. When cutting along a surface, use a baton as a guide and to prevent the knife slipping and cutting your fingers.

• Keep tools in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets. Be sure not to store them in a place where they may fall and harm you when you go to retrieve them.

• Keep a chemical fire extinguisher in your home. You must never use water to extinguish a fire from an electrical appliance. Ideally, gas and complex electrical work should be left to a registered professional – not only for safety, but to cover yourself in insurance costs should anything go wrong as a result of faulty work.

• A power drill with a plastic non-conducting body is the safest kind. Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewellery because these could get caught in the drill, always unplug the drill prior to fitting parts, and remove the chuck key before switching it on.

As one of the West of Scotland’s longest-standing estate agents, we have had lots of experience managing the ups and downs of the housing market in recent times, so you can be confident you’ll be in safe hands when working with us. With an expert team by your side and a variety of properties on offer, including both property to let and homes for sale, Caledonia Bureau are confident that we can match you with the right home. Give our friendly team a call today, choosing from our offices in Clydebank, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Paisley.