When we visit
our clients homes, we always advise on general electrical safety. It is part of our service and commitment
to make homes in and around London electrically safer.
One
recommendation we always give to our clients is to have an RCD
fitted in their home if they do
not have RCD protection already in place.
What is RCD Protection?
RCD stands for Residual
Current Device and is fitted as standard to all new consumer unit (fuse box) installations. It is a sensitive switching device that quickly
turns off electricity when danger arises to reduce the risk of death
or serious injury.
The electricity is
turned off in a fraction of a second and is
far quicker and reliable than breakers and fuses. An RCD
activates if you accidentally touch a live cable which could one day
save your life. Electricity is not
something we think about on a daily basis, particularly if we believe
that everything is OK. It is easy to become complacent and that is
where the job of the RCD comes in to
play. We can all make a simple error, but don't let it cost you your
life.
Why is an RCD so important?
RCD
protection is a ground
breaking
development and has been responsible for saving
many
lives and
preventing
serious injuries.
However, there is still more to be done as there are still 13
million homes in the UK which are still without any form of RCD
protection.
Clearly more needs to be done to inform householders on the dangers
of electricity:
- One person dies and 80 preventable electrical fires occur every week in the UK
- Over 50% of households have not had their electrics checked within the last 12 months
- A third of UK residents are not concerned about electrical safety
What can be done?
In order to reduce these shocking statistics, our recommendation
from us here at Fulcher Edwards is to
have an EICR carried out in your home by
an electrical contractor in London. Following the electrician
carrying out a thorough investigation on the condition of your home
electrical installation, you will receive a report
and recommendations which will keep your home in optimum
safety electrically. If you currently have no RCD protection, this
will form one of the recommendations in the report.
Remember that RCD protection must be installed
by a domestic electrician in London who will ensure that the
new consumer unit is fitted safely and correctly and the RCD is
working as it should be.
Other things you can do to stay
safe
If
you are looking at
lower cost
ways to keep
safe,
you may like to consider plug
in RCD protection.
Plug in RCD protection costs as little as £10 on the High Street
and the advantage of plug in RCDs are that you can plug in any type
of electrical
appliance anywhere in your home
due to its portable nature. Commonly
they are used
in the garden
to power appliances such as lawn mowers and hedge trimmers. This is
because
there is a
higher chance of an accident occurring
– you could accidentally cut through the cable.
It
is worth bearing in mind that plug in RCD protectors only
protect the appliance and the person using it.
Electricians
will also carry out electrical work in London for you if you find the
cost
too high for a new consumer unit.
This can include the fitting
of RCD sockets
in your home. By having a more permanent method of RCD protection
installed, you will have peace of mind against the two biggest causes
of electrical shock:
- Using appliances that are faulty
- Cutting or drilling through cables
Lastly,
simply carrying out your own visual
check of your electrics and appliances can
be a life saver. Don't use any appliances, lights or switches that
are faulty or have visible damage such as bare cable showing, cracks,
breaks or other damage. Taking a
few minutes on a regular basis
can really be the difference between life and death.
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