Electrics

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Can you see any problems with your sockets and/or switches?

Look out!

Old style sockets and switches can be a sign that your electrics have not been checked for a long time. Homeowners should have the electrical installation checked by a registered electrician every 10 years, or when you move house. It is recommended that privately rented properties are checked every 5 years, or on change of tenancy.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home or find a registered electrician.

Look out!

Cracked and damaged sockets and switches can leave you at risk of electrocution or fire.

Do not use sockets or switches that are damaged or cracked. Turn off the electricity to safely unplug any appliances, leave the socket or switch in the 'off' position and contact a registered electrician to repair or replace the socket or switch.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home or find a registered electrician.

Look out!

Burn marks on sockets and switches can be a sign of faulty wiring or appliances. Do not use sockets or switches that have burn marks. Turn off the electricity to safely unplug any appliances, leave the socket or switch in the 'off' position and contact a registered electrician to repair or replace the socket or switch.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home or find a registered electrician.

Look Out!

If you do not have enough sockets, don’t overload electrical adaptors by plugging too many appliances into one socket, especially those with a high electrical current rating such as kettles, irons and heaters.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home or find a registered electrician to install additional sockets into your home.

Look Out!

Don’t overload electrical adaptors by plugging too many appliances into one socket, especially those with a high electrical current rating such as kettles, irons and heaters.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety or visit Electrical Safety First - The UK's Electrical Safety Experts and look at their overloading sockets tool to check that your sockets are safe.

Look out for trips and falls!

Trailing extension wires can be a major cause of trips and falls. Never leave extension wires trailing across floors or doorways. Extension wires should be safely out of any paths of travel around the home, or well secured. Never train cables under carpets or rugs.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home.

Look out!

An old fuse box can be a sign that your electrics have not been checked for a long time.

If your fuse box is damaged you should get a registered electrician to inspect it for you to make sure it is still working safely.

Homeowners should have the electrical installation checked by a registered electrician every 10 years, or when you move house. It is recommended that privately rented properties are checked every 5 years, or on change of tenancy.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home or find a registered electrician.

Look out!

A fuse box that regularly trips and shuts off the power could be an indication of a problem with your electrics or an appliance or device that you are using. Fuse boxes contain switches that 'trip' and automatically disconnect the electricity under dangerous conditions, or if they detect a fault. When they 'trip' you can reset the switch, but it is important to make sure you correct the fault first - for example, by unplugging a faulty appliance.

If you are unsure what is causing the fault, or that your fuse box is not working properly, you should always consult a registered electrician.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home or find a registered electrician.

Look out!

Never bring mains-powered portable appliances such as hairdryers, heaters or radios into a bathroom. You could be severely injured or killed. The consequences of an electric shock are far more severe in a bathroom or shower room as wet skin reduces the body’s resistance.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Electrical Safety to find out more about electrical safety at home.