NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville doctors have noticed a number of emergency room visits, from people working on do-it-yourself projects at home.

They worry it could cause a shortage in resources, right before we see a surge in local COVID-19 cases.

In a press conference Monday, Dr. Alex Jahangir of the Metro COVID-19 Task Force said he was still performing surgeries for injuries he feels could have been prevented.

“Most of my surgeries I performed yesterday were on people who were injured doing things that they should not have been involved with if they had followed the (governor’s) order,” said Jahangir.

While there hasn’t been a dramatic increase in home improvement injuries, doctors say these are far from a sprained wrist or twisted ankle.

People have been reportedly showing up to emergency departments, with traumatic injuries.

Most hospitals have postponed non-essential surgeries, if they don’t affect anyone’s life or limbs. Accidents are the exceptions.

“Rather than thinking it couldn’t happen to you, begin every project with the mantra, it could happen to you,” said Dr. Corey Slovis, Dept. Chair for Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Dr. Slovis has been fairly optimistic given that emergency room visits overall are down and have remained that way through the Safer at Home order.

That’s fewer resources spent, which could otherwise help if we see a surge in COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Slovis says consider the emergency department when you’re sick and can’t hold down fluids, or when you have a fever and can’t control it.

“But if you have a minor complaint, talk to your doctor by phone. Don’t come to the emergency departments here in Nashville,” said Slovis.

The more active you are, the more likely you are to get injured Slovis says.

Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy time outdoors, just that you may have to ask yourself if this project can wait.