Are you a member of the tit club?

You'll be pleased to know that we didn't make a glaring error in the title of our blog post, but rather that we wanted to draw your attention to a very important fire safety campaign known as TestItTuesday!

The meaning behind TestItTuesday

Apart from it being a rather catchy name, it serves an important message to householders whether they are home owners or tenants – or perhaps even businesses to ensure that the testing of smoke alarms takes place on a Tuesday.

According to a Government report issued back in 2012, only 12% of people test their smoke alarm every week to ensure it is working as it should. A fire alarm is only useful to you and your family if it works. From batteries that have been removed to a faulty fire alarm, there are many reasons why testing a smoke alarm weekly should form part of your Tuesday routine.

Testing your smoke alarm

The testing of a smoke alarm is a straightforward procedure that you can do yourself or even get the kids to help you with. Simply press the Test button on your smoke alarm to ensure it emits a high pitched beep.

If you can't reach your smoke alarm, the use of a broom handle is far safer than attempting to stand on a chair to carry out the testing.

However, you test your smoke alarm, it is important that you don't forget! So set up a reminder in your phone, or write a note in your diary....or you could even have a household rota to do this very important task. As fire alarm maintenance specialists in London, we unfortunately come across many householders who do not test their fire alarm at all.

What type of fire alarm is best?

Of course any working smoke alarm is better than no alarm at all! Simple battery operated smoke alarms can be purchased at a small cost on the high street. In some areas, the fire service will fit fire alarms for you free of charge.

Fire alarms can consist of:

• Ionisation smoke alarms which are still commonly used in the UK. These type of alarms are best suited to areas such as landing and office environments where fires would consist of fast flaming fires such as wood or paper.

• Optical smoke alarms. Here at Fulcher Edwards, we recommend that homes are fitted with both an ionisation smoke alarm and an optical smoke alarm. Optical alarms are best suited to areas with soft furnishings such as bedrooms, lounges or even hall ways. Optical alarms are less likely to activate during 'false alarms' like burnt toast – the bain of many smoke alarms!

• Heat Alarms. It is important that heat alarms are installed in the right areas within your home. When we fit fire alarm systems to businesses and householders in London, we often come across heat alarms that have been installed incorrectly. Heat alarms are not suitable for living spaces in your home. They are commonly located in areas such as kitchens and garages as they can detect excessive temperatures and unusual speeds of temperature rises.

• Combination smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. These are a convenient all in one unit that detects both smoke and CO. Here at Fulcher Edwards, we highly recommend that all UK homes have both smoke alarms and CO detectors – ideally one on every floor of your home. A combination alarm prevents your ceiling becoming cluttered with alarms! These devices emit different beeps to let you know the cause of the problem.

All versions of fire alarms can be fitted as battery or mains powered versions. As fire alarm engineers in London, we recommend the use of mains powered smoke alarms as these are also backed up by batteries in the event of a power failure. Essentially you receive double the protection.

Have your alarms fitted professionally

Where the smoke alarms are fitted in your home does matter. Installation of basic smoke alarms is very simple, often with just a screw or sticky fitting, mains powered smoke alarms must always be fitted by a qualified and registered electrician.

Using a qualified and registered electrician or fire alarm engineer to install your smoke alarms will mean they'll be fitted in the right part of your home, to ensure that not only will you be able to hear it when you're asleep, but also detect the smoke in the first place!

Generally speaking, fitting a fire alarm as near to the staircase as possible on the ground floor, and on the landing on every floor in your home is normally sufficient.

What happens if my alarm doesn't work when tested?

If your smoke alarm is mains powered, then it could be a fault that has developed. It is important that you contact a qualified and registered electrician as soon as possible.

Try new batteries if your smoke alarm is battery powered, if it's not that, you will need to replace the whole alarm.

Make checking your smoke alarm part of your daily routine

Remember to use TestItTuesday to remember to test your smoke alarm regularly! We can almost hear the sound of all those beeps now!

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.

Are you using electrical appliances safely?

Here at Fulcher Edwards we spend a lot of our time promoting electrical safety especially when it comes to staying electrically safe at home and at work. We have seen and heard our share of electrical 'horror stories' and it is fair to say that not every electrical accident is down to dodgy wiring!

You don't need to spend money to stay electrically safe!

Unfortunately there are people out there who feel that electricians are seeing pound notes flashing before their eyes when they recommend electrical safety precautions are taken in homes. In most cases this is not the case.

In fact, using electricity in a safe way won't cost you anything at all – just a little care and attention. As electricians in London, we come across dangerous practices on an almost daily basis! Many people actually forget that what they are doing is dangerous, (old habits die hard!) Do you fall foul to any of these dangerous practices?

• Using switches and sockets with wet hands

Just finished the washing up? Or just out of the shower? Dry your hands before attempting to use switches and sockets! Water and electricity is a potentially lethal combination, never take risks with it!

• Overloading sockets

Overloading plug sockets can cause overheating and fire. In addition, many people overload extension leads by mistake. Extension leads are not really suitable for kitchen appliances - a kettle and toaster is enough to overload one! If you must use an extension lead in your home, ensure you use a bar type rather than a plug in adapter which could cause damage to the socket itself.

• Unsafe appliances

Just because an appliance works doesn't mean it safe! We are seeing an influx of slow cookers reappearing in time for Autumn, however we are also hearing stories of people finding them at car boots sales, and other dubious outlets. We have seen some 'interesting' relics including plugs with no shielding – which means that you could receive an electrical shock if you touch the pins whilst taking the plug in or out of the socket or if it's not plugged in properly. If you look at a plug on new appliances, you will see some black shielding on the bottom 2 pins. This is essential protection against electric shock. Do not use any appliance with old style plugs.

• Unattended appliances

One of the biggest home electrical campaigns at the moment is burns that can be caused by electrical equipment and appliances that are left unattended. The UK electrical charity Electrical Safety First have released a hard hitting video of how dangerous unattended hair straighteners can be. Hair straighteners can reach temperatures hotter than an iron – and we all know how dangerous they can be!

The bright colours often found on hair straighteners have unfortunately been mistaken for toys by young children who have accidentally grabbed hold of hot hair straighteners leaving them with serious burns which require hospital treatment. One tenth of all child burns are in relation to hair straighteners so it really is essential that children are kept away from them. It is of course easier said than done when you have toddlers under your feet whilst you are trying to get ready for work! However, there are some basics which will prevent a nasty burn from occurring:

• Unplug hair straighteners when not in use.
• Keep the cord away from where children could grab it.
• Keep hair straighteners out of reach of children when in use.
• Hair straighteners can take a while to cool down after use. There are purpose made storage bags for this purpose which means that hot straighteners are not left on the side for a child to accidentally grab.

A childs skin particularly a babies skin is very susceptible to burns and burns to the face can be particularly serious. So much so that Electrical Safety First have been nominated for an award on their video:

Beauty Burns - Electrical Safety First Campaign from Brickwall on Vimeo.

Always read instructions on appliances!

It might sound obvious but they can contain some useful safety information that you hadn't thought of – it also ensures you don't put yourself in un-necessary danger.

Never use appliances which are damaged or you have doubts about. These should be replaced. If you suspect that damage has been caused to sockets and even the wiring in your property, then please consult a qualified and registeredelectrician as soon as possible.

How to protect yourself from electrocution and electrical injury

If we were to tell you not to carry out that electrical job because you would die from an electric shock would you do it anyway? The answer hopefully would be a resounding no! Unfortunately for one person every week in the UK, that quick electrical job costs someone their life and 350,000 are injured every year as a result of electrical DIY jobs. These are frightening statistics and there is a very real likelihood you could become a statistic too if you carry out DIY electrical work in your home.

Electrical work myths

So aside from not carrying out DIY electrical work, surely someone else with a bit of electrical knowledge will be able to carry out electrical work? Again this is wrong too. As electricians in London we witness on a daily basis the misconceptions of home electrics. From the person who believes you only need to pull a fuse out to carry out electrical work safely to the person who thinks their plumber can also do their electrical work. It is vitally important that only a qualified and registered electrician does your home electrical work, no matter how small – or big – the job is. If you are paying out thousands of pounds for a new bathroom, why would you compromise your safety by trying to do your own electrics or asking someone who is not a qualified electrician to do it?

Making sure you hire the right person to do your electrical work

Having made the right decision to use an electrician to carry out your electrical work, you will of course want to ensure you don't become prey to an unqualified and unregistered electrician. Essentially this is a person who will tell you that they are an electrician and no doubt will baffle you with words to that effect. To this end, you might not think to ask to see their qualifications and proof of registration before they begin working in your home.

The electrical safety charity Electrical Safety First estimate that there are around 20,000 unregistered electricians carrying out work in peoples homes at any one time. This is a startling number and in most cases, the householder is not aware of the fact believing they are paying a qualified and registered electrician to carry out the work.

It is now easier to check the credentials of an electrician before they start work

Checking the credentials of an electrician before they start work is the only way you can guarantee that the work you have done is safe, legal and in accordance with electrical regulations. Here at Fulcher Edwards, we witness on a regular basis the results of shoddy and dangerous work carried out by unregistered electricians. Although we put the job right, it still costs the customer more in the long run as they are then paying for the work twice.

Unfortunately many of our clients in this position did not check the electricians credentials instead often relying on neighbours or friends recommendation. Indeed, many of our clients were under the impression that the person fitting their new kitchen or bathroom were qualified to carry out the electrical work.

The good news is though, you can now get one step ahead of an unregistered electrician by checking a new on line register which features all appropriately qualified and registered electricians who can carry out work in homes in England and Wales. As electricians in London witnessing dangerous electrical work being carried out on a regular basis, we highly recommend you check this register before making contact with an electrician.

The register is called Registered Competent Person Electrical and was launched only last month. It is Government supported and all electricians are on there regardless of which scheme they are registered with. It is very user friendly too, simply enter your postcode in the box and your nearest electricians will be displayed. As niceic electricians we are proud to be listed on the register. If you search for an electrician and they do not appear on this register then you are better off walking away. Do not take the risk on using an unregistered electrician.

Tips on making sure your electrical work goes without a hitch

• Remember to check credentials

Always confirm proof that your electrician is qualified and registered before work commences. If your electrician is not willing to show them, you are better off using someone else.

• References

Ask previous customers thoughts on the standard of work the electrician has carried out and how satisfied they were with the experience.

• Get 3 quotes

Don't settle for the first quote, get a quote from 2 other electricians. This will give you an idea of the price you're looking at. Don't be tempted to take the cheapest quotation, as this could mean the work will not be up to standard or have hidden costs which means you'll be paying more in the long run.

• Know who everyone is

If different trades people are doing the work, it makes sense to know who everyone is. Make sure you check the credentials of everyone working in your home before they carry out any work.

Keeping you safe

As electricians in London, we care passionately about the electrical safety of all our clients. We are determined to spread the word on avoiding unregistered electricians and how to ensure only qualified and registered electricians carry out work in your home.

How to avoid electrical accidents in your garden

The UK electrical safety charity Electrical Safety First has launched a Summer campaign surrounding electrical safety in the garden. You don't need to be an avid gardener to be at risk from electrical dangers in the garden. Simply giving your lawn a quick once over with your Flymo is enough to give you a serious electrical shock or injury.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who uses electrical equipment in their garden is at risk. That is most of us as let's face it, it makes gardening a lot easier to just get the mower, strimmer or hedge clippers out without another thought! Whether your garden is a roof top terrace or a lavish green space, it is worth noting that 300,000 people a year end up in hospital due to injuries sustained in the garden. A third of accidents are a result of electrical equipment misuse.

What do we mean by misuse?

By misuse we're not suggesting that you had a crazy moment with a hedge trimmer, but rather making a mistake that many of us are guilty of doing. You have probably mown your lawn a thousand times before, but a new mower is always a bit different. Did you know that 18% of men and 13% of women never read the instructions before using gardening equipment? We all know someone who never reads the instructions, but they can contain nuggets of useful information that may actually save your life in the event of a mistake or even an equipment malfunction.

What sort of mistakes are we talking about?

One of the main types of electrical accident – 25% in fact that occurs in the garden is accidentally cutting through the electrical lead on mowers and hedge trimmers. It's an easy mistake to make and live cable could cost you your life if you touch it accidentally. Death by electrocution. Not a nice thought is it?

However, electrical death or injury caused by gardening equipment could be reduced significantly by using RCD protection. As electricians in London we see all too often the life saving benefits of RCD protection in the home. Appliances can malfunction often without your knowledge, cables can deteriorate without you realising and accidents can easily occur outside – from electrical appliances accidentally dropped in a paddling pool to not checking an appliance before using it.

Is RCD protection expensive?

Obtaining RCD protection for your whole home would be in the form of a consumer unit upgrade. Your home may already have protection, simply look for a T or Test button on your consumer unit and press it. If your power goes off instantly, then you have working RCD protection. At Fulcher Edwards we fit up to date consumer units for home owners and landlords across London, however there are more budget friendly options available.

You could opt for an NICEIC electrician to fit some RCD sockets in your home which will give you RCD protection for appliances which are higher risk (such as gardening equipment) and for appliances that are left unattended (such as kitchen appliances) that way you have peace of mind that there is RCD protection where it most matters.

There are also RCD plugs available at sensible prices on the High Street. Always purchase these from reputable sources so you can be sure of receiving a genuine product. RCD plugs plug into a standard socket, and you then plug in your equipment or appliance into the RCD plug. This will offer RCD protection to the appliance and the user so long as you test the plug before every use.

Here at Fulcher Edwards, we recommend that all gardening equipment is protected by some form of RCD protection. Unfortunately two thirds of gardeners do not use any RCD protection or have never heard of it.

Avoid being a statistic this Summer

The last thing you want is to end your gardening session with a trip to the hospital. By following a few simple steps particularly by using RCD protection when gardening will avoid this situation occurring.

Reading the manufacturers instructions and using the appliance in accordance with them will also prevent nasty accidents occurring in the first place.

Your garden should be a place to relax and here at Fulcher Edwards, we are committed to ensuring it stays that way!

How to light up your business and make your tills go ker-shing

Shop refurbishment or even a rethink of the lighting arrangements can quite literally light up the life for your shop and increase your customer base. Get your shop lighting right and that passing trade will increase significantly. If your shop catches the eye of passers by and looks vibrant, modern and inviting then rather than walking on by, customers will begin to stop to see what you have on offer. Perfect lighting gives the ultimate finishing touches to all outlets from barista bars to electrical stores.

How to achieve perfect lighting

Creating the lighting solutions that match your shop ambience can be a challenge with busy owners not having the time to look for an effective solution. This is why here at Fulcher Edwards, our team of expert electricians can design, specify, install and commission lighting in many retail settings. We have extensive experience of designing and fitting lighting solutions in homes, offices, restaurants and shops in some of the most prestigious areas of London.

Good lighting rings the tills

There is a lot of truth is the statement above. High end department stores invest in luxurious lighting which fits in with the placing of products such as lingerie and cosmetics. Think of your shop lighting as part of your store architecture – make it part of the viewing experience – this creates the exciting shopping experience that lead to customers making purchases.

What the stores are fitting

LED lighting is exceptionally popular currently with many shops and stores opting to fit LED lighting. Of course the range of LED lighting available is vast and and it is easy to become bamboozled at the range of options available. Here at Fulcher Edwards we design and source the best lighting solution for your needs as part of the service.

From high bay to sequence, capo lights to hi-track each lighting solutions creates varying effects. So whether you needs are the ultimate in energy efficiency and lumen performance or whether you want an aesthetical look and product highlighting too then there will be a an LED range to suit your needs.

LED lighting is becoming particularly popular in both domestic and commercial settings due to their lifespan and low running costs. We have helped many business owners and home owners in and around London to save money by upgrading their lighting from older style halogen lamps and fluorescent tubes.

Retail lighting

Our qualified and experienced electricians in South East London have been refurbishing a series of high end designer stores. The stores opted for several hundred LED spotlights around the entrance and within the store which accentuated the shopping areas and provided and inviting exterior to entice shoppers in. The mannequins and new items were lit by individual hi-trac lights which not only provides outstanding lighting to show off sales items to their best, but also can be easily adjusted by shop staff when displays change.

Hospitality Venues

Meeting places which can range from a quick morning coffee to a full blown dinner party command lighting for the occasion. Receptions, hotels and coffee bars all benefit from having lighting to show off. Certainly here at Fulcher Edwards we have had the pleasure of fitting some very rare and unique lighting fittings in high end establishments in London and such lighting adds to an already eclectic atmosphere. Statement lighting such as crystal lighting, lamps and balls add to the look using a range of floor, wall and ceiling lights.

Our top tip before you begin

Before you choose your lighting, consult a qualified electrician who can advice on what the best lighting would be for your business. At Fulcher Edwards we have over 30 years of carrying out electrical work for business clients in and around London. We have unfortunately seen many instances where people waste money on inferior lighting which will not do justice to their business.

As electricians in South East London, we can take care of all your lighting needs including sourcing the lights you need. Why not increase your sales by giving us a call today.

The Real Cost of Counterfeit Electrical Items

Counterfeit electrical items are again in the news, as members of the public are still tempted by cheap electrical items which in most cases are not genuine. Counterfeit electrical items can be found easily on line and also in the high street. Counterfeit items can cause electrical injury, death and house fire. They can also cause extensive damage to the electrics in your home. At Fulcher Edwards, we are seeing increasing cases of electrical damage caused by counterfeit electrical products.

What electrical products can be counterfeit?

All electrical appliances and gadgets can be counterfeit. This is where an electrical item can look like the real thing (sometimes the outer casings are almost identical) but inside the wiring is dangerous and many safety features are missing, leaving the user at risk of electrical shock.

It is not just electrical products though that are causing the problem. Counterfeit electrical items such as cable, plugs and even circuit breakers (for fuse boards) have been faked.

What to look for

It is important to check all electrical items are genuine before plugging them in.

• Box – all electrical products should be boxed with the product matching what you've brought.

• Instructions – instructions should always be supplied and written in English. There should also be details of the guarantee in the box too.

• Casing – check the casing of the product carefully – look out for poor finishes or gaps in the casing which shouldn't be there.

• Wires – check that no damage to the cable is present and there is no bare wiring showing.

• Plug – make sure there is a fuse and the plug is firmly attached to the cable

The problems counterfeit electrical products cause

Unfortunately householders don't check the product before plugging them in. Counterfeit products often have little or no safety features that protect the user or home from serious injury or fire. Around £30 million counterfeit products enter the UK every year, and these items do not comply with strict UK or European safety legislation.

Incorrect or faulty parts that make up these products often overheat or break within days of purchase, which in turn increase the risk of fire and electric shock. In fact every year 70 people are killed and 350,000 are injured by faulty electrics and electrical equipment in the UK. Counterfeit products almost certainly contribute to this figure.

As electricians in South East London we have carried out electrical work particularly repairing damage to wiring in walls and sockets that have overheated. Some of the most common things we find are hair dryers, hair straighteners and curling tongs as well as chargers for devices like smartphones and tablets and gaming consoles.

Fires where sockets and cable overheat begin undetected in walls damaging cable. In some cases a partial rewire may be needed – that is an expensive remedy for a £1 phone charger! The initial bargain price can soon cost far more than the purchase of the genuine product.

How to avoid counterfeit electrical products

The best way is to carry out some research on line to find out how much you should expect to pay for the product you are looking for. Many people are tempted by the cost of counterfeit items believing them to be the genuine item. If an item seems much cheaper than other seemingly like for like models, this would be a concern.

Try to purchase from reputable outlets on the high street or via their websites. Avoid purchasing from unknown outlets or from somewhere where you can't return the item if there’s a problem.

If you've been a victim of a counterfeit electrical product

Always inform your local trading standards office immediately if you've been a victim of counterfeit electricals. We also recommend that you contact a qualified and registered electrician to carry out some electrical safety checks in your home to ensure it has not caused any damage to the wiring in your home.

As NICEIC electricians in London we are determined to keep the dangers of counterfeit electrical products in the spotlight. If you are concerned about the safety of any electrical appliance, please unplug it and contact us for advice.