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Electrical safety

Find out how to stay safe around electricity, why electrical safety checks matter, and what you can do to prevent accidents at home.

Every year electricity causes around 20,000 fires

Electrical faults can quickly turn into fires. Learn how to spot common warning signs, look after your electrical equipment, and reduce the chance of a fault starting in your home.

plug on fire

Your electrical safety check

Every five years, we'll carry out an electrical safety check in your home. Here's what you can expect and why it's important.

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Electrical problems and repairs

Find out what you can do yourself, when to contact us and what you need to know before carrying out electrical work.

When to contact us

Please contact us if:

  • A plug socket, light switch or fuse box is damaged.
  • You think there's a problem with the wiring.
  • Your electrics keep tripping or aren't working properly.
  • You smell burning or notice scorch marks near electrical fittings.

Do not try to repair electrical fittings yourself. We'll arrange for a qualified electrician to investigate and carry out any necessary repairs.

What you can do yourself

You can safely carry out simple tasks, including:

  • Changing a lightbulb.
  • Resetting a tripped fuse or circuit breaker at your fuse box.

To reset your fuse box, find the switch that has flipped off and turn it back on.

If the power keeps tripping after you've reset it, or you're unsure what's causing the problem, please contact us and don't try to fix it yourself.

Before you make changes

Before arranging any electrical work in your home, you must get our permission.

Before work starts:

If you're not sure whether you need permission, please contact us first.

Find a registered electrician

You can search for registered electricians in your local area on the NICEIC website.

Everyday electrical safety

For more expert advice, visit the Electrical Safety First website. As the UK's leading electrical safety charity, they provide practical, easy-to-understand guidance to help you stay safe at home and understand everyday electrical risks. We've also included some simple tips below.

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