DIY Activity Badge

1. Show you can work safely in the home and minimise danger to yourself and others. Make sure you know about:

• hazard symbols and signs (for dangers such as toxic, flammable, irritant, electrical danger or slippery surface)
• safety equipment (such as goggles, gloves, masks, ear defenders)
• how and where to turn off mains supplies (such as water, electricity and gas) to the house. Learn how to safely isolate individual electrical circuits at the consumer unit. This includes letting other users know that work is being carried out.

2. Show or explain how you would deal with four DIY emergencies from this list:

• unblocking a sink
• renewing a tap washer
• curing an airlock in water or radiator pipes
• thawing frozen pipes
• patching a leaking pipe
• adjusting the float arm of a cistern
• fitting a fused electrical plug to a cable
• replacing a mains fuse or resetting a mains circuit breaker
• changing a lightbulb
• helping to repair a broken window
• repairing a tear in clothes or upholstery
• removing common stains eg ink, wine, and coffee.

3. Take an active part in two major DIY projects, indoors or outside. You could:

• insulate a loft or fit draught proofing to windows and doors
• insulate a cold water storage tank, pipes and a hot water cylinder
• plan a colour scheme for a room and prepare a sample board
• prepare and paint, paper or tile the walls of a room
• prepare and paint woodwork or furniture
• fit a curtain track and hang curtains
• make a freestanding storage unit or put up shelves
• cover a floor with vinyl overlay, lino, tiles or carpet
• hang a door and fit or repair locks and other door furniture
• carry out a home security survey and make the house more secure by fitting window locks, marking property with a UV pen or fitting a burglar alarm
• lay a patio or path
• build a low wall, barbecue, gate or fence
• create and maintain a garden pond
• carry out routine service checks on a car, then clean and polish the car.