When travelling abroad you should not assume that you are protected abroad like you are at home as electrical standards in the UK and Ireland are much higher than many other countries.

Electricity abroad can vary from in voltage therefore it is not always safe to use your electrical products while on holiday. For example the electrical voltage can vary from 100 volts to 240 volts, whereas the normal voltage in the UK is 230 v 50 Hz.

In order to keep safe while on holiday follow these simple steps:

·         Never use mains-powered electrical appliances in a bathroom.

·         Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands.

·         Never ignore burning smells, buzzing and crackling, fuses blowing or scorch marks on plugs and sockets.

·         Never touch light switches if they are cracked or show signs of damage.

·         Never plug equipment into a socket which looks damaged or cracked, or has part or all of the cover missing.

·         Always check that the travel adaptor you are using is the correct type for the country you are travelling to and never force it into a socket if it does not easily fit.

What to do before you go

·         Consider buying travel adaptors and voltage converters before you go as not all products available abroad will meet British safety standards.

·         Find out about the type of sockets and the voltage used in the country you are visiting

·         Think about the appliances you intend to take and whether you will need to use travel adaptors or voltage converters and what their power rating should be.

See more at http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/for-travelling/