More cash-strapped Britons are attempting risky DIY tasks at home

More cash-strapped Britons are attempting risky DIY tasks at home by seeking help on social media rather than paying professionals, new survey says

  • 44% people say they are turning to social media to help them with risky DIY
  • 34% said they tried to plumb in a bathroom, including shower electricals
  • Read more: Hilarious photos reveal very unusual DIY fixes 

Cash-strapped Britons are tackling dangerous gas and electrical DIY jobs after watching online tutorials, a survey has found.

With advice just a click away, 44 per cent of people say they are turning to social media to help them with hazardous jobs.

More than half (52 per cent) surveyed by store Toolstation said they had attempted jobs they would once have regarded as risky.

Of 2,000 adults questioned, 34 per cent said they had tried to plumb in a bathroom, including shower electricals, while eight per cent had tried to fit an oven or kitchen.

44 per cent of people say they are turning to social media to help them with hazardous jobs

But the new-found confidence with DIY might be misplaced, as 53 per cent of tradespeople said they had been called out within the past six months to correct botched jobs.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: ‘While gas is an incredibly safe way of fuelling your home, any work carried out should be done by an engineer who is on the Gas Safe Register.’

Last year, American couple Tanya Rodriguez, 44, and James Carolfi, 52, died copying a technique they had seen on TikTok to burn patterns into chemically soaked wood.

Charity Electrical Safety First said: ‘If you need to look online for a tutorial, you shouldn’t be doing it yourself.’

More than half (52 per cent) surveyed by store Toolstation said they had attempted jobs they would once have regarded as risky. [File image] 

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