Electricity is something most of us take for granted — until something goes wrong. Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of house fires in the UK. The good news is that most risks can be managed with a few simple checks and good habits.
Here are 10 tips from our qualified electricians at Northumbrian Electrics.
Plugging too many appliances into one socket via adaptors is one of the most common causes of electrical fires. As a rule, never exceed 3,000W per socket. Be especially careful with high-draw appliances like kettles, toasters, and space heaters.
Look out for:
These are all signs that something needs attention — don't ignore them.
Frayed or cracked cables are a serious hazard. Replace them immediately. Don't use cable ties to permanently secure cables under rugs or carpets either — friction and heat can degrade the insulation.
This sounds obvious, but bathroom and kitchen safety is often overlooked. Only use shaver sockets inside bathrooms — standard sockets are not permitted within 3 metres of a bath or shower basin under UK wiring regulations.
Modern consumer units have RCDs (Residual Current Devices) which cut power in milliseconds if a fault is detected. Test the test button on each RCD every 3–6 months to make sure they're working.
Under Part P of the Building Regulations, most significant electrical work in the home must be carried out — or certified — by a registered electrician. Unlicensed work is not only dangerous but can also invalidate your home insurance.
Older fuse boxes (with rewirable fuses rather than MCBs and RCDs) offer far less protection. If your home still has one, upgrading to a modern consumer unit is one of the best safety investments you can make.
For garden and outdoor use, always use an RCD-protected extension lead. These cut power instantly if a cable is accidentally cut — for example, when mowing the lawn.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a thorough inspection of your home's wiring. Recommended every 10 years for owner-occupiers (or every 5 years for rental properties, where it's legally required). It will identify any deterioration or non-compliance.
In an emergency, you need to be able to isolate power quickly. Make sure everyone in your household knows where the consumer unit is and how to switch off the mains.
If you have any concerns about your home's electrics, we're always happy to help. Book a free survey today — we cover the whole of Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.
Free survey, fixed price, no call-out fee. Covering Northumberland & Tyne and Wear.