7 Common Home Renovation Accidents and How to Avoid Them

By Erin Wallace

October 16, 2025

Transforming your living space yourself can be an exciting project. It can feel satisfying knowing you made those changes all on your own without professional help. While the sense of personal accomplishment is great, it's also important to keep in mind some of the potential accidents that can happen during home improvement projects and what you can do to prevent them.

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What Are the Main Causes of Injuries in Household Renovation Accidents?

1. Falls From Heights

Many DIY home projects, like painting, roofing or installing fixtures, involve working at heights, whether standing on a ladder or on scaffolding. Falls from these heights can result in injuries like sprains or bone fractures.

To prevent falls, make sure ladders are set up on stable, even surfaces, use safety harnesses if necessary and don't stand on the top rung of a ladder as there's no bracing in front of you to help you keep your balance. Be aware of your surroundings when you're working up high, and be cognizant of where the edge is that leads to a steep drop.

A good rule to remember for ladder safety is the 4-to-1 rule: for every 4 feet you climb up a ladder, you should move the ladder 1 foot away from the wall. So, if you have to climb 12 feet, the ladder should be 3 feet away from the wall. You can also remember to maintain three points of contact at all times on a ladder to prevent a fall — two feet and one hand, for example, or two hands and one foot.

2. Skin Lacerations

In 2020, lacerations were the most common home improvement injury that resulted in treatment at the emergency room. There were 127,486 home improvement laceration injuries reported in 2020, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, with the next most common being fractures at 35,917.

Lacerations occur from operating saws and other sharp tools. To help prevent injury, wear cut-resistant gloves while operating equipment, and be mindful of where your hands and fingers are when you're using tools with sharp blades.

Improperly using tools like nail guns and drills can lead to serious lacerations and other injuries. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's safety guidelines, wear safety gear and use tools only for their intended purpose.

3. Electrical Hazards

Working on a home electrical project presents inherent risks. For someone who's not an experienced electrician, it's common to overlook basic wiring setups or forget to turn off the power when working, which can lead to electrical shocks or fires. It's important to use insulated tools as well because metal is a conductor of electricity. Ignoring or not being aware of electrical safety guidelines can lead to serious consequences, so consulting with a professional electrician can help prevent you from injuring yourself or others.

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4. Slips and Falls

Spills, wet surfaces or debris on the floor during a home renovation project can lead to accidental slips and falls. To help prevent these types of accidents, clean up spills as they happen and cover floors in slip-resistant materials when necessary. Wearing proper supportive shoes with good traction can help prevent slips and falls as well.

5. Head Injuries

Many head injuries that occur during home renovation projects happen because of the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). Helmets protect your head from falls, collisions with heavy equipment and other falling debris.

6. Eye Injuries

Protecting eyes is extremely important during home improvement projects. It's easy for particles to get into your eyes when you're using saws, drills and other power equipment. Safety goggles protect your eyes from wood chips, splinters and metal fragments.

When selecting safety goggles, look for those made from polycarbonate, which is an extremely durable, hard plastic. Safety eyewear should also fit properly and not slide off your face or move around too much. When working with chemicals, goggles that protect your entire eye area are a good idea to prevent injury from splashes.

7. Harmful Substance Exposure

Depending on the age or condition of the home you're working in, renovations can potentially expose you to asbestos, lead paint or mold. Exposure to these things can lead to respiratory problems or skin irritation. Wearing a mask with a filter can help protect you from harmful fumes and particles. If your home is older, it might be a good idea to ask a professional to help with safe removal and disposal of potentially hazardous materials.

Whenever painting an area, be sure there's adequate ventilation through open windows and/or use an exhaust fan. This can help prevent dizziness from inhaling harmful paint fumes.

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