EASTER is the busiest DIY time of the year and, with a warmer than usual Bank Holiday expected, handymen and women are set to wield their hammers and power tools in record numbers.

However, it is also the most likely time people may suffer a do-it-yourself injury, with an average of 1,400 people injured at Easter alone each year.

New research suggests that the favourite Easter DIY jobs are potentially the most hazardous.

The research, commissioned by home improvement chain B&Q, indicates that more than 70 per cent of people doing DIY this Easter will embark upon the one of the following:

Refitting the kitchen or bathroom

Redecorating the bedroom or living room

Painting

Changing carpets or installing flooring

Gardening.

To escape unscathed from this work takes preparation and caution.

Tom Broxton, general manager of the B&Q Warehouse, in Hull Road, York, said: "Whether you are tackling hard and heavy tasks in the garden or simply putting the finishing touches on a window frame, safety should be first and foremost in your mind.

"By following some simple rules on DIY safety, many of the most common accidents can be simply avoided."

Safety tips

Ladders and steps

Do...

Wear a helmet

Make sure your ladder is secured properly or someone is holding the base

Take your time

Use cordless power tools wherever possible

Wear thick-soled flat footwear, particularly if you'll be standing on one rung for long periods, and make sure your shoelaces are securely tied.

Don't...

Wear loose clothing that might be snagged on the way up or down

Climb a ladder with your hands full - use a tool belt, apron or shoulder bag

Over-reach, which can often lead to a loss of balance.

Paving or concrete blocks

Do...

Size up the object before you attempt to lift it

When lifting, keep your back straight, legs bent and have the item between your legs and as close to your body as possible

Rather than straining your back with a heavy load, get help.

Don't...

Twist at the waist while lifting or carrying heavy items.

Form sawing

Do...

Wear gloves and safety goggles when sawing all materials

If you're inside, make sure the work area is well ventilated and wear a mask to avoid breathing sawdust when sawing timber.

Don't...

Burn off-cuts of treated wood - the smoke and ash are toxic.

Bricks or breeze blocks

Do...

Wear safety goggles to cut bricks or blocks

Wear a gauze face mask when using an angle grinder as they create a lot of dust.

Don't...

Put down angle grinders until the blade has completely stopped as they tend to run for a few seconds after being switched off.

Power Tools

Do...

Carefully read and observe the safety instructions for each type of tool you use

Wear clear goggles when using power cutting tools

Wear protective gloves when using a power saw to protect you from hot blades and sharp edges

Have RCD (residual current device) protection against electrocution when using power tools.

Don't...

Work in poor light.

General safety

Do...

Plan ahead thoroughly; think the project through from start to finish by reading all the instructions and checking you have the necessary tools and materials on hand

Wear sturdy "safety'" boots or shoes with toe-cap reinforcement to protect your feet when you are handling heavy materials such as bricks, plasterboard, wooden sheets and timber

Be as tidy as possible; to protect yourself and others around you, clean your tools and keep your work area tidy as you go along; sharp tools, such as saws and chisels, should be hung up after use and safety guards replaced on power tools.

Don't...

Undertake DIY when you are tired; it is important to concentrate and take your time with each task, especially when working with electricity and any form of power tool

Wear loose clothing, especially big sleeves or accessories such as a tie or jewellery which may become entangled with a power tool or snag on a workbench

Allow children or animals to be in the vicinity of your work area as they can distract you from the task at hand and can endanger themselves.

These safety tips can also be found in the You Can Do It - the complete B&Q step-by-step book of home improvements, priced at £16.98, which is available now.

The B&Q Warehouse, in Hull Road, York, runs free in-store demonstrations on a variety of DIY projects which help customers to do the job properly and safely.

Updated: 11:45 Thursday, April 08, 2004