With many New Zealand homeowners now having ample time to complete those jobs that need doing around the home, Cowan Building has some top safety tips to help avid, Do It Yourselves, during lockdown from COVID-19.

“There is no doubt that many Kiwis will be dusting off the paint brushes and screwdrivers and getting stuck-in during lockdown,” Clayton Cowan from Cowan Building says. “However, it’s really important that homeowners take care with any DIY projects at this time.”

According to ACC, in 2019 more than 1.3 million injuries occurred in and around the home, with gardening and DIY activities accounting for 96,782 of those claims. With the current COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, it’s important that people keep safe.

“Now is the not the time to end up in the hospital with a DIY injury,” Clayton recommends. “It’s really important that kiwis keep safe to keep the strain off our medical industry, so only tackle the sensible DIY and leave the rest to the experts.”

TOP TIPS FOR DIY

• Wear protective gear at all times

• Keep all chemicals and paint out of reach of children

• Be ladder safe

• Ensure good ventilation when painting or using chemicals

• Leave the big jobs for another day

• Do not undertake any electric or plumbing work unless you are qualified

• Slow down, assess the risk and take your time planning

Some basic ladder safety include:

• Keep your hips square with the ladder and don’t reach too far over to the left or right

• Have someone spot you at the bottom

• Never sit or stand on the paint shelf

• Don’t lean a closed step-ladder up against the wall and climb it, it will slide from underneath you.

• It’s recommended to never stand above the 3rd highest step

• Always remove the ladder when not in use
  

Safe DIY

Now is a great time to get in the garden, fix-up those fences, getting outside furniture up to scratch and protecting the deck for winter. Even consider a lick of paint on the walls. Basic DIY will help keep you busy and also offer a feeling of accomplishment, but be safe.

“If you are not a plumber or electrician say away from those types of fixes and call in the experts when you can,” Clayton says. “Home insurance policies do not take lightly to DIY work that could lead to a possible insurance claim.”

It’s also not advisable to start smashing out walls or pulling down the bathroom.

“You don’t know what is lurking behind those 20year old tiles, and it could be opening a pandoras box,” Clayton warns. “So it’s best to keep your DIY projects simple and affordable at this time.”