Despite Pandemic Lockdowns That Kept Many Americans Inside, Fewer Home Improvement and Maintenance Injuries Were Recorded

At this time last year, 72% of consumers who applied for personal loans for home improvement projects through LendingTree indicated that they intended to use the money for a home remodel or other related projects. In fact, consumers requesting loans for home improvement projects increased by 7.8% in the first week of June 2020 compared to the first week of June 2019.

Although more consumers were looking to borrow money to spend on upgrading their homes, there were fewer reported injuries related to home improvement in 2020 than in the year before. ValuePenguin found a 6% drop in cases where Americans visited an emergency department for injuries related to items used in construction, maintenance and upkeep around the house, such as manual and cutting tools, and workshop equipment.

While there were significant drops in the number of injuries caused by wires and cords (75% fewer), soldering and cutting tools (31%), hoists and jacks (28%), and nails (20%), some tools appeared to factor into more trips to emergency departments than in the year before. Miscellaneous construction materials contributed to 16% more injuries in 2020 than in the year before, while batteries and power saws were factors in 14% and 13% more injuries, respectively, than in 2019.

There were 11% fewer hospital admissions where patients' injuries were related to yard and gardening tools in 2020. This drop-off wasn't universal, though, as chain saws, hatchets and axes contributed to 17% more injuries than in 2019. However, these were the only gardening implements that played a part in a higher number of injuries in 2020.

Trimmers and garden power tools factored into 32% fewer injuries than in the year before — the largest drop in this category. In general, the NEISS data shows that other power gardening tools were a factor in 14% fewer injuries in 2020 than in the year before. More specifically, there were 13% fewer lawn mower-related injuries. Even hand tools contributed to 23% fewer cases than in the year before.

As hospitals reported fewer injuries stemming from activities that are commonly associated with warm weather, it's clear that the pandemic cooled enthusiasm for these pastimes. There were 17% fewer injuries from cases related to beaches and picnics, as well as drops in the number of people admitted to hospitals from injuries associated with porches (15%) and trampolines (14%).

Simultaneously, several at-home recreational activities were sources of more injuries in 2020 than in the year before. For instance, ValuePenguin found more injuries related to barbeque grills (4%), holiday and party supplies (19%) and hot tubs, which played a part in 109% more injuries than the year before.

As the summer season kicks off and the pandemic eases, larger gatherings are likely to be more commonplace. Consumers should be aware that if someone is injured, for example, at a barbecue or in their hot tub, they may be the target of a lawsuit.

Homeowners insurance does offer personal liability coverage to policyholders. However, data shows that the cost of home insurance increases after a liability claim by 21% on average across the states with the most injuries.

The following table shows how the cost of home insurance can increase after a lawsuit. The states featured in the table had the most preventable deaths related to falls in 2019, the most recent year data was available. If a fall took place at the home of another person, that homeowner could be sued and, as a consequence of their insurance covering the costs associated with a trial, would see higher rates in the future.