There is a safe and unsafe way of going about repairs and maintenance in the home.
Over-ambition and lack of knowledge are two of the biggest factors in causing DIY accidents and about two thirds of those injured involved are male so:
Be realistic and don't tackle a job unless you really have the ability and the right tools.
A competent, qualified person should always carry out gas and electrical repair work.
Keep any tools clean and in good repair and give each one a quick check before you use it.
Dress suitably with sturdy shoes. Don't wear loose clothes or jewellery. If you do DIY regularly invest in some personal protective equipment.
Always plan ahead and don't rush.
Stop and disconnect all electrical tools before working on them and follow instructions carefully.
Ensure that all tools, paint and chemicals are kept safely out of the reach of children.
Take extra care with sharp cutting tools and never leave them lying around.
Follow manufacturer's instructions very carefully when using adhesives.
Protect yourself from electrocution by always using a Residual Current Device (RCD) when operating electrical tools.
When using a ladder make sure it is in good repair and stand it at a safe angle.
Get someone to secure the bottom of the ladder or use a "stay" if no one is available.
Don't overreach once on the ladder.
Keep children and pets away when carrying out DIY.
You are entitled to review your medications with your local pharmacist free of charge.
A healthy balanced diet, taking more exercise and losing weight if necessary may delay the onset of diabetes.
Young people aged 13-25 years can access free, confidential sexual health advice and condoms from the Cardiff Condom-Card (C-Card) Scheme.
A reduction in dietary salt intake from 9g to 6g could reduce blood pressure.
In England and Wales, alcohol misuse leads to some 33,000 hospital admissions each year for alcohol-related liver disease.
Improving your diet could prevent an estimated third of cancers.
Over 40% of 5 year olds in Cardiff have one or more decayed teeth.
Currently, over half of the population of Cardiff are reported to be overweight or obese.
If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road crash, than a driver who hasn't been drinking.
A healthy balance diet, physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight have been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
Obesity is associated with a reduction in life expectancy of approximately 9 years.
Regular exercise can really help if you're feeling depressed, stressed or anxious.
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables decreases the risk of coronary heart disease.
Of the people alive today, 650 million will eventually be killed by tobacco.
An extra portion of fruit and vegetables per day could decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by 4% and stroke by 6%.
If you are regularly physically active, you are 50% less likely of becoming obese.
Nearly £2000 a year could be saved by quitting smoking 20 cigarettes per day.
If you are regularly physically active, you are approximately 50% less likely to develop coronary health disease than those who do not exercise.
By taking regular physical activity you are at reduced risk of developing osteoporosis.
Smoking during pregnancy has been identified as a cause of cot death.
In Wales, the total cost of physical inactivity to the health service and the economy as a whole is estimated at around £650 million per year.
6,000 deaths from coronary heart disease in men each year are directly due to alcohol.
Only 26% of adults in Cardiff undertake the recommended 5 x 30 minutes exercise per week.
