Expert warns of ‘silent’ dangers of electricity

AN i ndustry expert has warned locals not to take the safety of their electrical goods “for granted”, following the Tele’s investigation into fire safety.

Darren Staniforth, technical expert at electrical regulatory body NICEIC, said the number of fires reported across Tayside was still too high.

He added: “The problem lies in the fact that there is a tendency for homeowners to take electrical safety for granted.

“As it isn’t something you can see or hear, the inclination can be to assume everything is in working order when, really, g etting your electrics checked is just as important as getting your boiler serviced.

“After all, electrics can be incredibly dangerous and by failing to get them fully checked by a registered electrician, homeowners could risk putting themselves and their families in grave danger.

“Our message is clear — always use a qualified, registered electrician when it comes t o any type of electrical work in the home and get your electrics checked at regular intervals in order to keep your home and family safe.”

Many electricians offer period inspection services which can reveal whether circuits at home are being overworked.

However, NICEIC also has a number of commonsense tips to share with homeowners and tenants in order to reduce the risk of electrical fire.

These include avoiding the use of too many extension leads and avoiding the overloading of plug sockets, especially if powerful appliances are plugged in.

In addition, fuseboxes should be fitted with residual current devices, or RCDs, which can cut the supply to a circuit if there is a fault.

Cables should be regularly reviewed for wear and tear — look for signs of discolouration, burn marks, sockets that feel warm to the touch, or any crackling sounds. Devices should be unplugged when not in use.