With the economic downturn, the number of people who are doing
their own work is up. This includes everything from do-it-yourself
hair dye — Proctor & Gamble Clairol brand sales were
significantly up for the first quarter of the fiscal year — to
fixing the plumbing to changing out light fixtures.
This might save money but it is also leading to more accidents,
everything from green hair to smashed thumbs to electrical house
fires.
In a Feb. 9 Baltimore Sun article, Jennifer King, spokeswoman
for Atlanta-based Home Depot, said the company has seen an increase
in the number of people doing projects themselves or inquiring
about projects they can do. Home Depot offers free clinics on
do-it-yourself projects.
Its biggest rival, Lowes, doesn’t offer clinics but instead
posts DIY information online.
Despite the downturn, according to the Lowes Web site the most
likely DIY projects are still the traditional ones — gardening and
landscaping, interior painting, replacing lighting fixtures,
replacing plumbing fixtures and front-entrance enhancements.
While the big home improvement stores offer DIY information,
many people prefer asking for help from their local hardware,
plumbing or lumber supply store. In Woodland Park that means
Woodland Hardware or Foxworth Galbraith. In Cripple Creek and
Victor it means the Cripple Creek Ace Hardware & Supply behind
the Venture Foods store. In Florissant, Outpost Plumbing Feed and
Ranch Supply sells materials for the do-it-yourselfer. Local lumber
companies include Casey’s Lumber in Woodland Park, Hutchison Lumber
in Florissant, Express Building Supply in Cascade and Divide and
Divide Timber in Divide.
Wendy Cox, an employee at Woodland Hardware, said she has seen a
big upswing in the number of people repairing their own
plumbing.
“We try to help them,” she said. “And when we can’t we tell them
where to go for more information and advise them to call the county
for code requirements.”
According to national statistics compiled by Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, one of the most dangerous thing the DIYer
can do is use power tools, especially nail guns and power saws. In
2001, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that more
than 400,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for power
tool-related injuries and another 300,000 plus were treated by
their medical practitioner. Many power tool sellers and renters
also give classes in their use.
The Home Safety Council on its Web site, www.homesafetycouncil.org,
offers a number of do-it-yourself safety tips, including:
Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit on hand and take first-aid
classes to learn how to use it.
Wear safety goggles with side shields when using power tools.
Depending on the job, other safety gear can include hard hats,
sturdy boots, gloves, hearing protection and face masks. Do not
wear loose and dangly clothing or jewelry that could become caught
in moving parts.
Read and follow product installation and care instructions and
manufacturer’s instructions for tools, power equipment and building
materials.
Always unplug power tools before working on them and never leave
a plugged in power tool unattended, not even for a few minutes.
Gasoline should be used only as a fuel. It should never be used
indoors or as a cleaning solvent or for any other purpose.
Beware of falling or flying objects, which can include
everything from falling bricks to dust particles that can get into
eyes and lungs.
Keep work zones well organized, well lighted, ventilated and kid
free.
Some jobs should be left to licensed practitioners, including
furnace installation and electrical work. Many electrical fires are
caused by badly installed electrical appliances, for example.
Follow local code enforcement rules. Some jobs require building
permits and inspections. Doing work without meeting code
requirements is not only unsafe but can make it difficult to sell
the property later.
Teller County requires permits for most kinds of remodeling
projects, finishing a basement, re-roofing a home or business,
installing a new furnace and a host of other kinds of work.
Information is available by calling the county building department
at 719-687-3048 or online at the Teller County Web site, www.co.teller.co.us. Click on
“County Offices — General” and go to the Community Development
Services Division page.
For free safety information, visit the Consumer Product Safety
Commission at www.cpsc.gov. This
Web site offers safety brochures covering a number of DIY projects
along with the latest information on product safety standards and
recalls. Consumers can sign up for free recall and safety e-mail
updates.