Staying safe over summer

As a homeowner, landlord or tenant, have you been taking the necessary steps to ensure electrical safety over the summer?

The summer months are synonymous with days out in the sunshine with friends and family, however statistics show that there is a general increase in electrical injuries during the summer. Despite this, it is also true that many of these injuries are easily preventable if the correct steps are taken.

Since forming as a Trade Association in 1992, NAPIT has grown into one of the UK’s leading accredited membership scheme operators. In those 25+ years, NAPIT has campaigned consistently for higher standards in the industries it represents and raise awareness on electrical safety. Through NAPIT’s simple to use online search facility, you’ll be able to find competent registered installers in your local area. All of which are required to meet NAPIT’s strict entry requirements and high industry standards. With this in mind, here are some general tips on how you can stay safe over the remaining weeks of summer and beyond:

DIY work

DIY work is synonymous with sunny days as millions across the country take advantage of the pleasant weather to do work around the house. However, recent figures show that around 70 people die and over 350,000 are seriously injured by electrical accidents in the home every year.

There is nothing inherently wrong about doing DIY work, but it is true that many hidden electrical dangers are easily overlooked.

If you are planning on doing DIY work on walls for example, it is advisable that you check walls for cables if you are planning on doing any drilling or other work. This can easily be done by using a cable detector so it’d be wise to purchase one if you are considering doing such work.

Likewise, with any other DIY work where you may have identified hidden dangers, don’t be afraid to contact a competent person who can mitigate the risks. To know if someone is competent, check that they are a member of a fully accredited competent person scheme operator – such as NAPIT.

It is also sensible to install residual current devices (RCDs) wherever possible. RCDs have the potential to save lives, as they automatically switch off electricity if there is a fault. This is because they constantly monitor the electric current flowing through one or more of the circuits that they are installed to. RCDs are easily installable, but don’t be afraid to contact a registered, competent electrician, such as a NAPIT electrician, if you are having any issues.

Barbecues & the storage of outdoor equipment

Summertime gives households across the country the chance to grab the barbecue out of the shed, yet many people forget that they bring electrical risks. To begin with, you should check that any cables connecting to the barbecue are secure and undamaged. This is particularly true in the case of built-in barbecues, which should always be installed by a registered competent electrician who can do the appropriate wiring work.

Equally, with all types of barbecues, you should inspect plugs and all connections for damage and wear, ideally by someone competent and qualified to do so. Finally, don’t be afraid to contact someone who is qualified to repair a barbecue if it requires any work.

Whilst it may seem obvious, steps should also be taken to ensure that all electrical equipment is kept well away from contact with water. It is recommended that equipment, such as barbecues or lawnmowers, are stored in a dry and safe place. Equally you should check that equipment hasn’t been damaged or affected by water before use.

Lawnmowers and hedge trimmers 

As with barbecues, the sunshine provides an optimal opportunity to grab the lawnmower or hedge trimmer and do some gardening work. Lawnmowers and hedge trimmers present their own electrical risks and many outdoor accidents occur when using such equipment.

The most important thing you can do when using a lawnmower or hedge trimmer is to always check that the cable is moving away from the equipment and that you don’t accidentally loop back onto the cable. In addition to this it is recommended that you always look to buy a good quality product from an established manufacturer and that you seek manufacturers advice if you have any initial concerns. As before, don’t be afraid to contact a competent person if you have any issues that need resolving.

Other electrical equipment

In terms of other electrical products, the installation of mains supplied lighting in the garden is more commonplace throughout the summer. With this comes the initial installation work of getting the outdoor lighting to operate, in addition to any necessary repairs. Since mains supplied lighting can create complex wiring jobs, registered electricians should always be the first point of contact.

Alongside lighting, other equipment such as electric pumps present their own electrical risks. As with lighting, installation and repair work is something that you would need to consider, as well as RCD installations and testing. In the case of electric pumps, the risks associated with water become far more prevalent so this is something to keep in mind.

Commenting on electrical safety over the summer, NAPIT Technical Director Frank Bertie said: ‘We all love the summer because it gives us a chance to put our feet up. Yet there are many hidden dangers associated with the summer that we must all be aware of. At NAPIT, we are committed to raising awareness on electrical safety issues, hence why we have drawn up the safety tips above.  As ever, the number one message you should take from this advice is to never be afraid to contact a competent registered installer. This could very well be the difference between good health and serious injury’.

To find a NAPIT Registered Electrician, visit www.napit.org.uk/member-search.aspx or call 0345 543 0330.