What to Do if You've Hurt Yourself Doing DIY Repairs

The pandemic turned many homeowners into DIY pros, upgrading their living spaces as a way to stay sane during lockdown. None of these restrictions remain, but people haven’t put down their sledgehammers yet. The DIY trend is stronger than ever as inflation causes the cost of materials and labor to soar. Depending on the job, DIY promises to save you a lot of money — provided you know what you’re doing. But using unfamiliar equipment to tackle jobs you have no experience doing can cause a mess. Worse yet — you can hurt yourself when taking on more than you can chew. Accidents and injuries can happen to anyone, even the most seasoned DIY-er. Here’s what to do if you’re in this position yourself while doing DIY repairs.

When to Go to the Emergency if You’ve Hurt Yourself Doing DIY Repairs and Renovations

Hitting your thumb with a hammer is something you can most likely walk off with a few well-timed curse words. A minor electrocution or fall from a ladder, on the hand, may not be so easy to walk away from. Go to the emergency room right away — or call an ambulance — if you suffer any of the injuries below:

Head injuries (falling shelves, tripping down the stairs, etc.).
Electrocution, even if the person is walking and talking afterwards.
Other burns and abrasions caused by hot tools or fire.
Puncture wounds (like stepping on a nail — you should make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date).
Cuts from utility knives and saw blades if they’re deep and continue to bleed for more than 10 minutes of firm pressure.
Chemical burns caused by toxic cleaners and strippers.
Eye injuries caused by sharp objects, debris, and corrosive liquids.

What if You Can’t Afford an ER Visit?

In an emergency, you can’t sit down and check your budget to make sure you can afford stitches, burn care, or a concussion exam. With your health on the line, you have to make your way to the hospital as quickly as possible — often with no thought about what you have in your wallet.

If you can’t afford the medical bill that comes from this unexpected trip to the ER — or the deductible of your health insurance — small online personal loans might help. Find out when to get a small personal loan following your emergency on a timeline that works for you. Many online lenders are flexible and host virtual applications 24/7. It comes down to when your hospital expects you to pay your bill.

You can reduce how much you borrow by asking the hospital for an itemized bill or receipt. This forces the billing department to justify every price they applied to material, equipment, and services. One TikTok user said asking for an itemized bill lowered his bill by an astonishing 76%, paying just $950 on an original $4,000 charge. While your savings may not be as drastic, you should see some discount.

Next Time, Prevent Injuries Before They Happen when you DIY Repairs

While an online personal loan can help you afford essential and unexpected medical care, it would be easier for your budget if you never had to pay these expenses in the first place.

Always wear closed-toed shoes, safety goggles, and thick gloves when starting your project
Make sure you have a spotter when climbing ladders.
Lastly, know your limits. Get the professionals involved when you’re out of your depth.

These renovation safety tips can save you an expensive and painful trip to the ER.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash