Each year, defective wiring or appliances cause over 12,500 fires in homes like yours, resulting in 25 deaths and over 590 injuries.
There are also over 500 injuries and 5 deaths caused by faulty electrical installations. Recent surveys have shown that over 2 Million homes in the UK need some kind of electrical repairs. Older houses are especially at risk. The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) recommends that Domestic wiring installations are checked every 10 years.
Increasing legislation is being enforced to try and prevent a number of accidents and deaths from faulty installations and repairs. If you live in England or Wales especially, you are now required by law to use an electrician competent to current standards, to carry out most electrical work. You are not only risking penalties, but also your life. Click here for more information on Part P Building Regulations
Electrical Safety Council
To help increase consumer awareness of electrical safety issues in and around the home, the Council had produced a 15 minute video entitled 'How safe is your home?'
The video draws attention to the electrical safety hazards that can be found in a typical family home, ranging from fire, electric shock and overloading of circuits, to the use of electrical equipment in bathrooms and outdoors, and explains how to avoid becoming a victim of those hazards.
Amongst other things, the video also explains what the functions of fuses, circuit breakers and RCDs are, recommends the use of competent electricians rather than 'doing it yourself', and draws attention to the need for electrical installations to be inspected and maintained periodically.
Click HERE to watch Video
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The Message is this: DON`T Do-It-Yourself!!
Most wiring is hidden in walls/floors, but here are some checks you could do:
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Member
of the Tornado Chapter (Darlington)
