Warning issued by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Sunday, 24 October 2021 22:00

By Mark Atherton

The fire service is urging people to take extra care when carrying out DIY projects.

Last year West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service attended more than 70 incidents related to DIY – including fires started by faulty electrical wiring, battery chargers, and welding.

To ensure your safety throughout the project, the service recommends reading all the instructions on the equipment you’re using, ensuring your tools have been purchased from reputable suppliers and clearing your working environment of any obstructions.

Here are some of their top safety tips when carrying out DIY:

Ensure the project is within your capabilities
Read the safety instructions on the equipment you’re using and carry out checks to ensure they’re in full working order
Purchase tools from reputable suppliers
Make sure you have the right tools for the job in hand and store them in a safe place
Clear your working environment from obstructions
Store knives securely
Isolate the power once you have finished using a power tool
Never lean to one side on a ladder
Turn off the electricity at the mains when repairing an electrical tool
Straighten extension cables to ensure they don’t overheat
Avoid using multi-way adapters when working with high amperage tools
Make sure you have a circuit breaker when you use electrical tools
Make sure gas appliances are always repaired by an approved contractor.

Flammable liquids should be:

used and kept in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
secured in containers
used in small quantities
used well away from the house
kept well clear of risks like naked flames or cigarettes.

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