Get the facts about asbestos before you DIY. It could save your life.
Asbestos was used in a large number of UK buildings from the 1950s until the late 1990s, especially in products like ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, boilers and sprayed coatings. As you probably already know, if disturbed it is a potential killer.
But you might not be aware that if your home was built or refurbished before 2000, it’s very possible it may contain this potentially hazardous material.
Thankfully, materials that contain asbestos and are in good condition are harmless if left undisturbed. But inhaling loose fibres can cause several serious and even fatal lung conditions from which thousands of people in the UK die every year.
So to minimise the risks to you and your family, it’s best to arm yourself with the facts before you crack on with your next DIY project. A great place to start is the British Lung Foundation’s special asbestos awareness website – take5andstayalive.com
Along with lots of helpful advice and links, there is also a free in-depth asbestos guide, full of useful information and contacts to help you identify asbestos in your home and, where necessary, deal with it safely. By downloading the guide you could even win £250 of DIY vouchers.
As with all DIY projects, it pays to be properly prepared. So before you wade in this weekend, take a moment to visit the British Lung Foundation site and download the guide. It could be the most important five minutes of your life.
www.take5andstayalive.com
British Lung Foundation