Electrical dangers in the home – are you at risk?

This week 15 - 21^st September 2014 is Gas Safety Week. In homage to our gas engineer friends, and to highlight the importance of maintaining both gas and electrical appliances so they remain safe to use, we are going discuss the dangers of both!

Before you turn on your heating...

Stop! Have you checked if your boiler is safe? Dodgy heaters and boilers are probably causing a potential problem on your own street! Are you one of them? According to the gas safe register, in some areas of the UK, 1 in 11 boilers are unsafe, and just as alarmingly, 1 in 3 gas fires are unsafe too! From a blocked flue to dodgy electrical wiring on the heating control, it is essential that dangerous problems are found before you flick the switch to on!

The best way to check all is well is to have gas appliances and electrical appliances that have large motors or run at high speeds such as washing machines serviced once a year. Of course such services will need to be carried out by qualified trades people. Gas appliances by a qualified and Gas safe registered engineer and electrical appliances by a qualified and registered electrician.

Just because it works doesn't mean it's safe

As electricians in South East London, we often come across dangerous electrical problems. Is is particularly the case at this time of year, as more people start thinking about putting on their heating and having the lights on for longer.

Telling a customer that their home is dangerous is never easy especially when they can see their lights are working “It's always worked this way” is a common expression we hear often at Fulcher Edwards. Unfortunately we often come across dangerous wiring where attempts to get the lighting working have been made. Although the lights are on, what the person doesn't realise is that damage is being caused all the while the light is in use. Damage to cable, overheating, and worst of all risk of electric shock.

If you are guilty of carrying out make shift repairs on electrical appliances, do the right thing and check the appliance is still safe by having it serviced. Electrical appliances, plugs and cables that are old or incorrectly wired are a real danger. Do not wait for a fire or someone being injured or killed from an electric shock to find this out.

Signs of danger

Carrying out your own visual checks on electrical appliances in your home will prevent accidental electrical shock.

• Check for tears or damage to cable and untwist or unkink the cable when using appliances.
• Check the plug is in place firmly and no wires are visible around the plug or the cable.
• Do not be tempted to wrap insulation tape around visible wires.
• Replace faulty electrical appliances or call an electrician to look at large appliances.
• Plugs or sockets that heat up excessively in use are signs of faulty or loose wiring. As electricians in London, we recommend you call a qualified and registered electrician for advice.

Do you have a carbon monoxide alarm?

Carbon monoxide alarms are as important as a fire alarm. Our team of expert fire alarm engineers in London recommend the installation of both mains powered fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Just 60 seconds of high level exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can kill you. If you do not have a CO detector, we highly recommend you get one before switching on your gas appliances. Don't forget coal fires and any fuel burning appliance used in a confined space will give off CO. Most cases of CO poisoning are caused by blocked or cracked flues or chimneys. Most people are completely unaware of these problems and rely on a CO alarm to alert them.

Keep your home cosy this Winter, but above all stay safe. Never take risks with electricity or gas. If you suspect a problem, call a qualified and registered gas engineer or electrician as soon as possible.