Tour on avoiding DIY accidents launches in France

During October, the tour will offer a series of free workshops in eight French cities and towns: Paris, Buchelay, Achères, Montigny-lès-Cormeilles (Île-de-France); Bron, Belleville (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes); Bondues, and Englos (Nord-Pas-de-Calais‎).

The sessions will include lessons on how to take on DIY ("do it yourself") projects safely, avoid accidents, and protect your home.

They will take place at local DIY and home decor stores, including Leroy Merlin, Mr Bricolage, and Castorama.

A full list of the workshops, dates, and locations, can be found on the tour website. Although the sessions are free, reservation is advised.

The project is being spearheaded by Marie Davideau, the founder of renovation training school l’Ecole des Métiers de l’Habitat and DIY class company Lilibricole.

Every year, 300,000 people in France end up in hospital after a DIY accident.

Advice from Ms Davideau on how to avoid accidents and injuries - both to yourself and to your home - include:

• Wear hard-wearing clothes with close-fitting long sleeves and trousers, without loops or straps that could get caught
• Wear strong boots or protective shoes
• Tie long hair back
• Wear protective gloves and eye masks
• Take off jewellery including watches, rings, bracelets and necklaces
• Unplug tools when not using them
• Prepare your workspace, including laying sheets or tarpaulins on the floor
• Keep children and pets away from the work
• Use tools adapted to the task, e.g. paint rollers with extendable handles for tall spaces
• Ensure that all ladders have the safety catch properly fixed
• Ensure that your first-aid kit is stocked, including with bandages, disinfectant and eye drops