The BBC's Denise Mulhoney gets some DIY tips from Handy Andy of BBC's Changing Rooms

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says that the number of DIY accidents doubles during the holiday weekend as people try to tackle tasks beyond their capabilities.

Now the Department of Trade and Industry has launched a safety awareness drive.

Advice leaflets

It has produced leaflets containing key safety advice which will be distributed in DIY stores throughout the country.

The safety message will be reinforced in public service television advertisements.

The right equipment is essential

The DIY industry is worth £10bn, and each year 70 people are killed and 250,000 injured in DIY accidents.

As the traditional DIY "season" gets going at Easter, people are being advised to take extra care not to add to the statistics.

David Jenkins, RoSPA's Product Safety Advisor, said: "Employers have to ensure the safety of their employees and provide enough people to do the job, proper training, well-maintained tools and safety equipment.

"There are no such rules governing people in their homes. DIY fans often do jobs operating potentially dangerous equipment which they have not been trained to use, lifting and moving loads which are beyond their capabilities, using the wrong tools and no safety equipment.

"They don't plan well enough in advance and run out of time to do the job - that leads to them rushing and making mistakes."

Alcohol danger

Mr Jenkins said other problems which DIY fans often did not take into consideration were tiredness, over-exertion, and the dangers carrying out tasks after drinking alcohol.

He said: "Working long hours on DIY after spending a hard day at work or after you have been drinking can lead to trouble."

Electricity causes a large number of accidents

Consumer Affairs Minister Dr Kim Howells issued his own safety alert to DIY enthusiasts on Tuesday as the Easter weekend approached.

He said: "Holidays should be enjoyed, not spent in hospitals. There are some terrible cases of what can go wrong if people do not take care.

"We all like to do a bit of DIY around the home, especially over the holidays. But many people are in a hurry to try to cut corners, use the wrong tools or are just plain careless."

Dr Howells said reading the DTI's safety awareness leaflets would take just a few minutes, but could "save people a lot of grief".

The key safety tips contained in the leaflets, which will be available in a range of high street DIY shops in time for the weekend, are:

• Plan ahead and choose the right tools for the job
• Follow instructions and warnings closely
• Do not underestimate how long a job will take
• Call in professionals if a job becomes too difficult.