MOT Your Home
New research from NICEIC has revealed that homeowners are risking their lives by not getting their electrics fully checked, leaving potentially deadly faults lurking in thousands of homes. Each year there are around 43,000 fires in UK homes, of which over 8,170 are caused by electrical faults and unsafe electrics.
The survey revealed that nearly nine out of ten (89%) homeowners don't really think about getting their electrics fully tested, with eighty eight percent (88%) confessing that getting their gas boiler checked is more important to them. Worse still, over a third (32%) admitted they have never had the electrics in their home fully tested. 
That's why NICEIC has launched ‘MOT Your Home', a national consumer safety campaign warning homeowners about the dangers of electrical DIY. Fronted by home-improvement expert Linda Barker, the new campaign encourages homeowners whose property is over 10 years old to employ a registered electrician to carry out a Periodic Inspection Report, which acts like an MOT for the property.
Linda Barker says: “I've teamed up with the NICEIC to encourage consumers to get their homes checked and make electrical safety a top priority. Even though it's tempting to try and save a few pennies where possible at the moment, a simple home MOT could save lives.”
Homeowners polled by NICEIC ranked their top priorities in the following order:
1. Getting their smoke alarm tested – 33%
2. Getting their gas checked – 31%
3. Getting their car serviced – 17%
4. Having their electrics fully tested and checked – 10%
5. Getting their cholesterol checked -5%
6. Talking the dog for a walk – 4%
Tony Cable from NICEIC adds: “Nearly half (48%) of homeowners admitted to asking a friend or partner to have a go at electrical work in their home. This means there are potentially deadly underlying electrical problems in homes across the UK as a result of botched DIY jobs. Our campaign aims to change the public's mindset about getting their electrics checked by a registered electrician, in order to keep their home and family safe.
“Many NICEIC contractors offer a Periodic Inspection Report which will reveal if electrical circuits are overloaded, find potential hazards in the installation and identify faulty DIY work. Homeowners will then receive a report which details the overall condition of all their electrics and points out any work that might need to be carried out.”
To ensure any reports or electrical work carried out is safe and complies with Building Regulations, it's advisable to employ an NICEIC electrician. For further information please contact us.
Tips and Advice
Each year around 43,000 fires are caused in the home in the UK: over 8,170 (19%) are caused by electrical faults and 10,750 (25%) are caused by people not using electrical equipment and appliances properly.
1. It's essential to ensure that sockets and switches are checked and repaired on a regular basis – especially after prolonged use. Keep your eyes peeled for any obvious signs of over-heating or damage at the socket outlets and switches. Also be aware of plugs which are hot to the touch, the smell of melting plastic and brown scorch marks as these are signs of electrical defect.
2. Flexible cables for extension leads and appliances must also be checked regularly, ideally before each use. Be aware of any fraying and never touch frayed or exposed wires; this could result in painful burns, muscle spasm or at worst stop your heart from beating. Never try to tape up an old cable when damage is found – it's much safer to replace it instead. Also make sure you don't run cables under carpets or rugs – you won't be able to notice damage to them and this might ultimately result in a fire.
3. Do not overload sockets as this also significantly increases the risk of fire, especially if powerful appliances like kettles, toasters and hairdryers are plugged in. The use of extension leads and adaptors should be kept to a minimum and they should never be overloaded, they have a limit on how many amps they can take and of this is exceeded they could overheat, causing a fire. If you don't have enough socket outlets in your home arrange to fit some more.
4. When seeking an electrician make sure that they are qualified to a minimum of the 17th edition of the British Wiring regulations (like us). Ask to see their qualifications.
5. When re-placing a plug top fuse be sure to use one of the correct current rating Amps) for the appliance so that it does not overheat. Check in a manual or look for a sticker on the appliance to make sure. Remember that if a fuse blows for no obvious reason it may be that the incorrect current rating fuse has been used for the appliance.
6. Be sure not to put any electric heaters near furniture or curtains, or dry clothes on them, as this might cause a fire which can spread quickly. Be aware of warnings printed on the appliance or in the manual such as usage times and instructions to keep the appliance uncovered.
7. Electrical equipment and appliances deteriorate with use over time. For this reason it's advisable that you get them checked, inspected and tested by a qualified electrician periodically. Even if they seem to be working well, there may be deterioration that cannot be seen which if left undetected may increase the risk of fire.
8. You can't smell it, touch it or taste it, but electricity can kill. If the electrics in your home are over 10 years old it is recommended that you employ a qualified electrician to carry out a Periodic Inspection. Paphos Electrician offer a “household check” (Periodic Inspection report), which acts as an MOT for your home to conform its condition and check that the electrics are satisfactory, keeping your family safe.
9. Always turn electrical appliances off when not in use, especially at night. You don't need to turn off appliances that need to be on permanently, such as fridges and freezers, but be especially wary of leaving on heating appliances such as ovens, electric heaters and hair straightners.
10. In the case of an electrical fire, where safe to do so, switch off and unplug the appliance pr switch off the power at the fuse box. Do not put water on the fire, just get out of the house quickly and call the emergency services.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact XS Engineering.
