With 53.4% of all dwelling fires in the UK resulting from electrical hazards, it’s clear electrical hazards often go unnoticed and that householders may not be aware of the warning signs to look out for.
The consequences of not spotting them can be far greater than damage to your house or possessions, as a severe electrical shock or burn can also be fatal or cause serious injury.
That’s why it’s essential to be switched on and maintain the integrity of your home’s electrical safety.
Paul Collins, Technical Director of the NICEIC – the UK’s leading certification body for the electrical industry – shares key electrical sensory safety checks everyone can do in their home today without touching potential hazards…
Get familiar with your consumer unit
Sometimes known as a fuse box, a consumer unit (CU) should have in-built residual current devices (RCD) – a safety switch that cuts off electricity if it detects a certain type of electrical fault, protecting you from electric shocks and fires.
Check your CU for any visible signs of damage, buzzing or a burning smell – these are signs your CU may be faulty and you will need a NICEIC-certified electrician to assess it. For future use, ask the electrician to show you how to test your RCD – a button (labelled T) next to the RCD.
This should be labelled, but if your CU does not have a required RCD, or you’re unsure, always contact a NICEIC-registered electrician to find out or have RCDs installed.
Inspect sockets, switches and lights
Spend time scanning your socket-outlets, switches and lights for cracks, scorch marks, buzzing noises, a burning smell, flickering, loose fittings or any signs of overheating. If a light switch is flickering or ‘tripping’ your electricity, this could be a sign of faulty wiring.
Always employ a registered electrician to assess and fix these issues.
If any extension leads are overloaded – find a way to distribute your electrical products more evenly rather than overloading one extension lead – as this is an electrical hazard.
Lookout for signs of rodents
Outdoor tools and appliances are vulnerable to rodents chewing through wires. Check for any visual signs of rodents around your garden, home and tool-shed, including droppings and nests.
Don’t forget to look through any electrical power tools, outdoor extension leads and other electrical fittings to ensure there is no rodent damage.
Protective storage, such as plastic stackable storage boxes, is key for any electricals you’re keeping outside.
Assess your appliances
Electrical appliances should not overheat, emit a burning smell, buzz or ‘trip’ your electricity. Cables are often hidden, especially for big appliances, so if it is safe to do so, move these and check the wiring for any fraying, exposed wires or burn marks.
If you spot any issues, seek advice from a registered electrician or the manufacturer, and consider a replacement.
Check your outdoor electrics
Outdoor lights and other electrical fittings are susceptible to damage by harsh weather conditions. Check all are securely mounted to stop exposed wiring from being damaged by moisture and rain and ensure any outdoor socket outlets have a waterproof cover that is in good condition, undamaged, and watertight.
Be careful not to touch any exposed wiring. And, if any light fittings are flickering, hissing or causing the electricity to ‘trip’, ask a NICEIC-registered electrician to assess the issue.
Find a NICEIC-certified electrician: https://niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson/