Vienna - Some 3,700 Austrians injure themselves every year while spring-cleaning, a safety watchdog organization said Thursday, urging the population to do chores at a more leisurely and safer pace.

Among those involved in such accidents between March and April, a third suffered broken bones and a quarter sustained open wounds in 2007, said the Austrian Road Safety Board, which also campaigns for other safety issues.

"Window-cleaning is one of the classics," said Anton Dunzendorfer, one of the organization's experts. People often stand on unstable chairs or assemble "furniture towers" instead of using ladders.

Accidents happen because people want to finish their chores as fast as possible, according to Dunzendorfer. "Stress and a hectic pace are the most common causes for injuries." (dpa)