3 Common Home Improvement Injuries (and How to Avoid Them)

With DIY projects on the rise and more home improvement TV shows than ever, it’s easy to think that everything can be done on your own with the right tools and a few how-to videos. With easy access to these resources, home improvement injuries are commonplace. While many home improvement projects can be performed on your own, there are many that are better left to the professionals for health and safety reasons.

If you’ve taken up DIY projects as a recent hobby or consider yourself a home improvement aficionado, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and how to avoid hurting yourself. Healing from these injuries can take time, so the goal is to avoid them altogether.

Before your start your next home project, consider these 3 common home improvement injuries and tips to stay safe.

1.   Bruised Tissue From Heavy Fallen Objects

When moving things around above you or messing with anything in the ceiling or attic, your safety needs to be a top priority. It’s all too common for a heavy object like a ceiling panel or piece of decor to fall, risking the chance of it hitting you and bruising muscle tissues.

Luckily, it’s easy to avoid hurting yourself from the object’s impact by following a few basic safety skills:

• Secure all heavy equipment whether you’re using it nor not using it. Leaving things out in between work sessions leaves more room for an accident to happen.
• Don’t keep heavy, portable objects above you or out of reach. It should be easily accessible without too much struggle.
• If something is too heavy for you to hold or lift up comfortably, don’t try to push it.
• Never leave heavy items unattended on your roof or ladder.

2.   Trauma From Lifting Heavy Materials

One of the most common home improvement injuries includes trauma from lifting heavy materials. Lifting heavy objects without proper support can strain your spine and the muscles and ligaments that surround it. Don’t let these massive objects pose a threat to your health by trying to pick up something that’s too heavy to be safe. Follow these precautions to avoid suffering any trauma to the back with these tips:

• Ask someone to help you lift something that feels too heavy to do on your own.
• Consider using a dolly or other piece of equipment to haul the item.
• If you need to lift it, use a back brace for extra support and be sure to use proper form.

3.   Falling From Ladders or the Roof

There’s little that’s scarier than falling from a ladder, roof, or other high-elevation surface. If you’re going to be climbing onto your roof or using a ladder or step stool to complete your home project, follow the safety guidelines below to avoid injury:

• Only use a sturdy ladder that you know can hold your weight and stand on the lowest rung possible.
• Opt for a standalone ladder when possible and always place it on even, solid ground.
• Wear anti-slip shoes whenever you’re on the roof, especially if it’s sloped.
• Never work on a roof when it’s wet or if it’s structurally unsound.

What to Do If You Suffer a Home Improvement Injury

After sustaining any injury from a home renovation project, you should make an appointment to see your chiropractor for a thorough examination and proper treatment. Sea Change Wellness Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, FL, has experience treating these kinds of home improvement injuries and can create a treatment plan that will help you get back on your feet faster. Through spinal adjustments, massage therapy, and other treatment routes, you can heal your tissues and support your spine through the recovery process.

If you’re in pain from home improvement injuries, don’t hesitate to reach out. Delaying treatment may only make matters worse. Call us today to schedule an appointment.