Now that spring has really begun, thousands of people will start to tidy their gardens and begin the home improvements they have been putting off all winter. Before they start these apparently harmless tasks, the European society for research into microsurgery has reminded them to be very careful. Every year more than 35,000 Italians are injured in accidents in the home; garden tools such as lawnmowers cause many of these injuries, with unprotected blades and electric drills and saws in the hands of untrained DIY enthusiasts. Andrea Ortensi, director of the microsurgery unit at Romes La Sapienza University, explained that often the smallest-seeming accident could cause serious damage to the nerves in the hands and feet, and he advised gardeners to wear strong gloves and protective shoes or boots when working with tools.