Electricity is the lifeblood of our day to day living without it we’d be sitting in the dark in damp candlelit homes with little in the way of entertainment cooking our food off fires.
Few would argue that creating and distributing electricity is one of humanity’s most significant achievements.
As fantastic as electricity is it’s potentially dangerous and even deadly. Modern technology ensures electricity’s safe to use in the home, but sadly carelessness can and does cause electrical accidents.
By following a few simple rules, you and your family can stay safe and enjoy all the wonderful benefits of electricity.
Ensure You Have A Modern Consumer Unit
Make sure your consumer unit’s up to date with the correct RCD, MCB, or RCBO fuses. These circuit breakers protect you and your family from electrocution and your wiring and appliances from electrical overload (that can destroy appliances and start electrical fires).
Old style fuse boxes with old school wire fuses need replacing with a modern consumer unit they are a potential fire risk and don’t cut power as fast as modern fuses. A good Electrician can upgrade old fuses boxes and fit the correct size fuses for each appliance and each part of the electrical system.
Check Fuses And Appliances
Faulty appliances are a prime cause of tripping fuses, blowing plug fuses and electric shocks if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms with any regularity get an Electrician to test your electrical system and appliances.
Check Wiring Every Ten Years Rewire Every 30 Years
Every property should have the wiring checked every ten years and undergo full rewiring every thirty years. A periodic check will determine if the wiring’s ok and if a full or part rewires in order.
Cover Sockets For Young Children
Children are curious and may attempt to stick their fingers or another implement into a live socket. For those with young children, cover your sockets. Traditional plug-in covers are no longer recommended and are even considered dangerous by some. Full plug socket covers that cover the whole socket and plug and lock in place are available on the UK market, use these instead.
Use Plug-In Power Breakers Or Install RCD Sockets
For extra protection, use plug-in power breakers with appliances and power tools (especially outdoor tools such as lawnmowers and hedge trimmers where the cables at risk of being cut) or better still install sockets with built in RCD fuses. Both will instantly cut power at the socket in the event of a fault
Don’t Overload Sockets
Using too many appliances off of a single socket via an extension lead can cause overload and overheating use a single appliance with a single socket, and you’ll be ok.
Check Socket Covers
Regularly ensure your socket covers are screwed on properly, are not cracked, broken (or worse missing) and don’t overheat, faulty sockets are an electrocution risk always get them replaced by a qualified electrician.
Check Extension/Appliance Leads
Keep an eye on all the cables in your home, make sure they’re not damaged, and no plugs are loose. Never use appliances with damaged cables.
Keep Appliances Away From Water
Never use any electrical appliances near water keep appliances out of the bathroom and away from jacuzzi’s/swimming pools this includes portable lighting. Make sure outdoor power tools are stored in a dry place and never get wet.
Bathroom Electrical C
Only suitable light switches, light fittings, shaver sockets, and extractor fans should be installed in a bathroom to ensure safety and compliance with UK electrical safety regulations.
Bathrooms are considered special locations due to the presence of water and high humidity, which significantly increases the risk of electric shock. Electrical accessories must have the appropriate IP (Ingress Protection) rating for the zone in which they are installed, and all electrical components must be specifically designed for use in bathrooms.
Need any assistance in making your home safe? Give us a call, and one of our Electricians will help you