Do You Have to Do it Yourself?

July 18, 2007

Maybe it started with all of the “Do it yourself” reality television programs.  Or maybe it began when Home Depot and Lowes started popping up on every street corner. No matter the reason, it has become clear that more and more of you want to “Do it yourself.”  Of course there is something very satisfying about admiring the new shutters that you, yourself, put on the front of your home.  And there is a sense of pride that comes with telling your neighbor, “I put the sauna in the bathroom all in one day.”  But there is more to doing it yourself than the finished product.  For many, there is a trip to the hospital. 

Most of you are not thinking about the possibility of injury when you decide to take on a home improvement project.  You might be thinking of how nice it will be to finally get started on those roof repairs and about the money you will save by not hiring a professional.  But the truth is that you won’t be finishing the roof anytime soon and you definitely won’t be saving any money if you land yourself in the hospital!  The take home message here is that home improvement projects are not without risk of serious injury.  Just ask the two million people who ended up in the emergency room for ladder related injuries from 1990 to 2005.  The same study that published those numbers found that nearly all of those who reported the locale of their injury were at home when they got hurt!

If your heart is set on a “Do it yourself” task, try to make the endeavor as safe as possible.  Before you begin the project, plan carefully so that you know exactly what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.  And if you aren’t sure, take advantage of the (often free) workshops that many of the home improvement stores offer.  Also, if you are doing a project that will turn your house into a construction site for a few weeks, block off the area so that others in the house will not stumble across a potentially hazardous situation.

Finally, although it may be very satisfying to “Do it yourself,” keep in mind that you don’t have to.  There are people who are specially trained to clean your gutters and finish your basement.  They know exactly what to do and how to do it.  That is why we pay them—so that we, unharmed, can enjoy our new kitchen cabinets and our new backyard patio.  And no, you may not be able to brag to your neighbors about doing these things all by yourself.  But you will still be able to admire the work.  You just won’t have to admire it from the back of an ambulance.

Related Links:

About Dr. John Whyte

Dr. G Talks about Men and Injuries

Signs and Symptoms of a Head Injury

Comments

[Ruth]

Nina, my name is Ruth, I am 48. I started having the same issues you described last year, excessive hunger and am still trying to lose weight and exercise. Please reply if you want to discuss/commiserate. Maybe I can share some things that have been working for me. Thanks.

[nina fern cardwell]

Hello My name is nina cardell. I am 47 years old. I am having a very hard time with my weight. I am constantly hungry for food .especially at night.i eat late at night .what should I do . it is very hot in the afternoon to walk. I would like to loose at least 50 pounds.Can you please help me.

[cynthia pardo]

Can weight training be beneficial if the doctor has diagnose one with osteoporosis and constantly have joints and knee problems. What kinds of exercise can be done to improve legs and knee function?