In 2021, Grandfather Maurice Wayne Matthews died of mechanical asphyxia from being crushed under a car.

He had decided to work on his car that morning but was killed due to the jack becoming unstable on a sloped surface, causing the vehicle to shift.

Repairing a vehicle at home carries the risk of death. While preventable, incidents continue to occur.

Over 100 Australians have died due to DIY car maintenance accidents since 2000, with many more hospitalised for injuries. Most fatalities occur when victims are working under a vehicle or using equipment incorrectly.

Don’t let your Father’s Day be ruined by a DIY car job gone wrong. Consumer Protection’s Product Safety team wants you to protect yourself, your friends and family by using the following tips.

It is important to have multiple safety measures in place. Use a trolley jack to lift the car before lowering it onto vehicle support stands. Make sure these stands are not makeshift, for example don’t use blocks of wood or bricks. Also ensure that you don’t exceed the weight capacity of the jack.

Never get under a car that is only supported by a jack. Ensure it is sitting securely on support stands or ramps.

Make sure you apply the handbrake properly, and always perform maintenance on steady, level ground, not sand or a sloped surface.

Lastly, always follow product instructions and report faulty products. Equipment such as trolley jacks and ramps have been recalled over the years due to faults that can contribute to an accident. Take a moment to check productsafety.gov.au to see if your equipment has been recalled, even if you’ve had it for a while. 

For more on DIY car safety, visit productsafety.gov.au/news/diy-car-safety.

This Father’s Day, Western Australians are also encouraged to be aware of the dangers of button batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and ladders. Learn more at consumerprotection.wa.gov.au.

Or call Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au