Website: www.haugheyelectrics.london
Top 10 tips for electrical safety in the home
Electrical faults are one of the most common, and most preventable, causes of house fires, and older homes in particular can carry hidden risks that build up unnoticed over the years.
A few simple checks can go a long way towards keeping a home safe, without needing any major work or upheaval.
Here are our top tips:
- Avoid overloading sockets. Multi-plug adaptors stacked on top of one another put a strain on the circuit. Use a single extension lead with a built-in fuse instead, and spread appliances across different sockets where possible.
- Check cables and plugs regularly. Look out for frayed wires, cracked casing, or scorch marks, all signs that a cable needs replacing rather than repairing.
- Get a periodic electrical inspection. A qualified electrician can check the wiring throughout the home, particularly important in older properties that may not have been rewired for decades.
- Unplug appliances that aren’t in use. Items like heaters, toasters and irons should be unplugged when not needed, both to reduce fire risk and to save on standby energy use.
- Install a residual current device (RCD). An RCD cuts the power automatically if it detects a fault, offering an extra layer of protection beyond a standard fuse box.
- Make sure you have a working heat detector in the kitchen. This means you are alerted to heat, not smoke, so if you have a toaster that burns, or something that sticks and you’re aware of it, you won’t also be running around trying to stop the smoke alarm.
- Do not store things on (or even in!) the microwave. These can block ventilation which can cause fires.
- Make sure your oven / grill are regularly cleaned. This ensures that a build up of fat / grease does not cause a fire.
- Don’t leave washing machines, dishwashers or tumble dryers running unattended as these can catch fire which can take hold quickly.
- Don’t get toast out of the toaster whilst it’s turned on and especially not with a metal knife!
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for warning signs.
Flickering lights, a burning smell with no obvious source, or a fuse that trips repeatedly are all worth investigating rather than ignoring, even if everything seems to be working again afterwards.
If you’d like some support reviewing the safety of a home for an older relative, please contact us.
If you would like to contact Martin, you can find him at info@haugheyelectrics.london or 07961 433801