Four DIY Dangers You Need to Look Out For

Four DIY Dangers You Need to Look Out For-Chispa Magazine“Don’t worry about it, honey,” your husband says to you, flexing their muscles. “No need to call in the professionals. I can do this myself.”

Famous last words?

DIY is always an attractive way of fixing a problem, even when we’re not keen on the physical effort. Sometimes we want to hone our mechanical skills. Sometimes we want to save money. And, sometimes we just want to show off to the person we live with. [Cue muscle flexing again.]

It’s admirable, so sure. But don’t let your eagerness to learn, save money or please cause you harm. How can you enjoy your handiwork when you’re injured? Here are some of the things you need to be wary of when you don’t leave it to the professionals.

Not having the right personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is an absolute must if you’re going to be doing hardcore DIY. A lot of homeowners don’t invest in the right equipment. To get a full suite of PPE can be fairly expensive, and quite often homeowners are just looking to do one job. Why invest in hazard suits and goggles if I’m only going to use them this once, right? This is a logical fallacy that could get you into serious trouble. That one quick job could be all it takes to get injured.

Not being accustomed to using the tools. Hammer and a nail, easy, right? Just aim and hit it. What could go wrong?

What people forget is that the professionals use these tools on a daily basis, and have been for several years. This allows them to build up accuracy and fluidity via muscle memory. The professionals are very much aware of what their hands are doing at any given time. When nailing and sawing, amateur renovators are very likely to injure themselves. It’s largely because they’re not used to thinking about where their hands are in relation to one another. This is important because you will usually only have your eye on one hand at a time.

Not thinking about worst-case scenarios. A good way of scaring some sense into yourself when it comes to amateur DIY is to consider the worst things that could happen. Here’s a good one to remember: your home is like a heart, except, instead of blood pumping in and out and around it, there’s electricity and water. Electricity and water are not friends. An inaccurate nail here, or an exposed wire there, and bam: mass amounts of electricity could find itself where it shouldn’t be. Namely, inside you.

Check out the government statistics. Electricity causes nearly half of all accidental house fires. And each year, about seventy people are killed as a result of electric shocks. Keep these kinds of statistics and dangers in mind before you opt out on hiring that electrician.

Not preparing for worst-case scenarios. Ah, so you’ve ignored our advice and are currently hammering nails into the wall. You’re at least wearing the right PPE. But what if something does happen? Do you have the right equipment to deal with the outcome?

Get yourself a fire extinguisher. Get safety blankets. Establish escape routes for you and your family. Make sure you’re prepared for every scenario. And if you’re nervous in the slightest, just consider calling in a professional.

Photo by Taner Ardalı

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Mia Guerra

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine
Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.