Electrical Harzards
Electrical hazards are invisible but deadly, causing fires and electrical shock. These hazards are easily preventable if you use an NICEIC-registered contractor to install, inspect and maintain electrical installations.
Always use an NICEIC-registered contractor to ensure that your electrics are installed and maintained safely and correctly.
Government figures estimate that there are around 10 fatal and 2,000 non-fatal electric shock accidents in the home each year, and around 19 fatal and 880 non-fatal shock accidents a year in the workplace. However, there are about 12,500 electrical fires in homes across the UK each year. Although many incidents are caused by faulty appliances rather than the electrical installation itself, a properly installed and well-maintained installation could save lives.
Cables, switches, socket-outlets and other equipment deteriorate with prolonged use, so they all need to be checked and necessary replacements or repairs made in good time.
Whilst it is relatively easy to make an electrical circuit work – it is far more challenging to make the circuit work safely. To avoid the dangers that electricity can create to you and others it is essential that electrical work is carried out only by those with the correct knowledge, skill and experience in the type of electrical work to be undertaken.
In March 2006 the Electrical Safety Council published the results of their National Consumer Survey and found that:
o 42% of consumers surveyed stated they had never had their electrics checked.
o 32% of consumers surveyed who do DIY stated they had experienced one or more electric shocks while carrying out DIY.
o 59% of people do not use qualified electricians when carrying out electrical work.
o 35% of consumers surveyed said their electrics are over 15 years old and a further 21% stated they had no idea how old they were.
o 48% of those surveyed did not know that their electrics should be checked at least every 10 years.
Advice on electrical safety for householders can be found at www.esc.org.uk