More than 30,000 electrical related accidents occur each year with an estimated 1000 people dying each year as a result. There are many steps you can take to reduce the risk of an electrical accident in your home.  

Check all your electrical outlets, in particular pay attention to loose fitted plugs which tend to be the cause of electric shocks in the home. If you spot any sign of broken fittings replace them immediately as the longer you leave it the greater chance of a fire or a shock.

When putting a plug into a socket never force it in as chances are there is an underlying problem that won’t let you place the plug into the wall. In relation to this never overload sockets with various adapters as these sockets may overload which could cause a fire.

Make sure to spend some time checking cords of appliances as these are often neglected and quite often there is live wires exposed which could cause a shock. If you do see any frayed wires get them checked out by a qualified electrician and do not use the appliance until it has been checked over.

Extension cords were designed for temporary use in the home and should not be considered as permanent wiring. Keep them tucked away so that no one can trip on them or so that small children cannot get access to them.

It is essential that you have an RCD installed in your home so that it can detect when there is a problem with the electrics. Once it detects a problem it will cause the electrics to trip which could potentially save your life. In conjunction with this do not turn the electricity back on until you find the fault.

Problems with household electrics are the main cause of electrical fires in the home. So if you are in any doubt regarding the condition of you wiring or simply if an appliance is safe give your electrician a call and he will be able to give you suitable advice.