Gardening expert Daisy Payne warns of electrical dangers as new research shows ¾ of UK gardeners have suffered an injury

RECENT research that has been commissioned by SP Energy Networks has revealed 71% of UK gardeners have suffered an injury while gardening with 36% severe enough to require medical attention.

To tackle this head on, This Morning gardening presenter and green thumbed guru Daisy Payne has formed an alliance with the network provider to share her safety tips to keep people safe while gardening at home.

1 in 5 (21%) gardeners admit they've never carried out safety checks to avoid electrical power lines whether overhead or underground. And 30% of gardeners remember to carry ladders and other long objects at a low level and horizontally when passing under overhead lines.

Gardening expert Daisy has worked with SP Energy Networks to develop a series of safety videos that are targeted toward reducing electrical incidents when working in the garden, which can be viewed on:- YouTube.

Daisy's safety tips raise awareness for gardeners to watch out for potential hazards.

Daisy Payne said:- "When it comes to gardening, danger lurks beneath the surface, so it is really important that you scan for electrical hazards before you dig and hopefully my top tips in partnership with SP Energy Networks will help make this process easier! I have always had a passion for gardening but experience has opened my eyes to the potential risks, which is why I couldn't be more delighted to be working in collaboration with SP Energy Networks to share these essential safety tips to keep gardeners safe in an environment that we are all comfortable with."

Daisy's top tips are:-

• Before carrying out any DIY in your garden, request free network plans and safety advice that SP Energy Networks or your distribution network operator can provide. SP Energy Networks also work in conjunction with online utility map service provider LinesearchBeforeUdig (LSBUD) to provide access to their utility information go to:- lsbud.Co.UK,

• Use cable locators before carrying out any work. Check network plans by tracing cables and marking their position and always scan the area you intend to excavate before you start to dig.

• Always assume powerlines are live; even if they have fallen to the ground, broken or aren't sparking.

• Select your machinery and equipment in relation to safe working distances and ensure it can't come into contact with overhead power lines.

• Carry long objects at a low level and horizontally when passing under overhead cables. Please be vigilant when using extendable poles near overhead cables.

• You can call SP Energy Networks or your local network operator on 105 in an electrical network emergency. If anyone is injured, please call 999 for medical attention.

Derek Bell, Health and Safety Director at SP Energy Networks, said:- "Every year avoidable incidents and near misses take place when people undertake work in their garden without assessing the risks and being aware of the electricity network around them. So we're on a mission to help people stay safe when undertaking gardening and DIY tasks. It's our priority to help people stay safe when undertaking gardening and DIY tasks which is why we have partnered with expert gardener, Daisy Payne, to share important safety tips to ensure you can carry out projects as safely as possible."



For further information and details on SP Energy Networks gardening safety advice, please visit:- SPEnergyNetworks.Co.UK.

For useful numbers about how to report electrical emergencies and gas leeks, we have listed emergency contact information on our new Useful Information page on our Mersey Reporter site.

HOMEOWNERS who choose to complete certain household jobs themselves could face fines of up to £5,000; or receive no insurance payout in the event of an issue. According to parts of Building Regulations laws relating to:- "Part P," those who carry out electrical works in particular rooms, such as the bathroom, are actually breaking the law and could face large fines.

Servicing your own boiler is also illegal, and while not servicing isn't actually against the law, it could leave you uninsured if problems arise as a result.

On top of this, badly maintained properties; or bodged DIY jobs; are costing homeowners millions of pounds every year in denied insurance payouts.

As the cost of living increases take hold, hundreds of thousands of Brits are delaying essential maintenance; even carrying out specialist jobs themselves, and it could lead to disaster.

According to MyBuilder.com, a platform that matches reliable tradespeople to homeowners, failing to maintain your home properly; or risking DIY instead of getting the professionals in; can lead to problems should an accident or damage occur.

Many home insurance companies have it written into the small print that any claims relating to damage caused by improperly maintained properties will not result in a payout. This includes:- failing to carry out general maintenance (such as clearing out your gutters) but also includes any damage directly; or indirectly; caused by DIY jobs.

Andy Simms, a property expert from MyBuilder.com, said it is essential that policyholders check the smallprint before carrying out jobs themselves. "I understand it can be tempting to hang a shelf yourself, or replace a roof tile; or even service your boiler. I can even see why it might seem sensible to skip your boiler service or ignore that cracked window. If you're not a gas professional or a Gas Safe Engineer, then servicing your own boiler is illegal under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. The fact is that if damage ensues as a result of DIY, or an accident happens, you could find yourself in a situation where your insurer will not pay out. This can even be the case if you didn't cause any damage during the job; but if a problem occurred later. Particularly with fixes or maintenance on boilers, heating systems, or electrics. These should always be carried out by certified experts, or you will face a big bill should it all go wrong."

MyBuilder.com has put together a list of issues that may lead to your home insurance policy becoming invalid, and provided some tips to make sure you don't fall into the insurance trap. The full list can be seen at:- MyBuilder.Com.

1. Blocked gutters... It may sound like no big deal; but actually blocked gutters can lead to significant damage to your property. They are a common cause of damp in your home, which can quickly become an expensive problem. If your insurer has reason to believe that your gutters have not been cleared, they are unlikely to pay out for any damp related issues in your home.
   

2. Installing your own solar panels... Solar panels are (understandably) becoming very popular; but they are also expensive. Some people are turning to buying and installing their own, which is not only potentially dangerous, but is likely to render your insurance useless in the event of a problem. There is no harm in shopping around for second hand or discounted panels, but always get an expert to install them.
   

3. Installing animal flap... Cat and dog flaps might make your life easier in some ways, but if you install them yourself you could compromise the safety of your home. Most insurance policies will ask to know if an animal flap is a feature in your home, and if you install one without telling them, your insurance will be void.
   

4. Not mending damage promptly... Roof tiles coming off, cracks in walls or broken windows are all good examples of damage that needs to be repaired; and quickly. Should an issue occur in your home that can be attributed to problems that should have been fixed, you'll find yourself with no payout.
   

5. Not having secure enough windows and doors... Insecure windows and doors are a big problem when it comes to payouts after burglaries. Any cracks in windows, weaknesses in frames or dodgy locks should be replaced with urgency. In the unfortunate event of a break in, if an insurance provider suspects a weakness in security, you will struggle to get a payout.
   

6. Servicing your own boiler... Any work with oil, gas, or electricity boilers needs to be undertaken by a certified professional. Doing a DIY job on any of these systems is not only illegal, but a very bad idea; and is not only risking your payout, but your life.