Fire related casualties caused by faulty electrical wiring are on the increase in homes across the UK. Between 2004 and 2011, injuries in this area rose by more than a third whilst fatalities caused by faulty electrical distribution systems tripled, according to statistics from the Department of Communities and Local Government.
There were around 38,500 accidental domestic fires during 2010 – 2011. Around 22 percent of these were of electrical origin, with 10 percent caused by household wiring.
Older houses often have outdated internal wiring which can sometimes be worn, corroded or even damaged. Some properties will also have outdated fuse boxes which do not contain the same safety measures of newer models, such as RCD’s. This can leave members of the household exposed to the risk of electrical fires and even electrocution.
If you’ve recently purchased a new house or even if you’ve been living in your home for years, you can’t always be sure that its electrical wiring and the fuse box that keeps it all safe have been worked on by reputable electricians. Previous owners, with little or no electrical experience, may even have worked on the household electrics themselves as part of a DIY project.
Most of us can’t be one hundred percent sure that our electrical wiring is as safe as it could be. There could be all manner of underlying problems with your electrics which will go unnoticed until something goes wrong.
It is important to ensure electrical wiring is in good working condition. If you think your home electrics could have been damaged, bodged, or have simply deteriorated over time, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So why not hire a NAPIT registered electrician to check your home is safe?
Established for over 20 years, NAPIT – a nationwide, Government approved register professional tradesmen – aim to ensure the workmanship standards of each and every NAPIT registered Electrician comply with UK legal requirements. NAPIT registered electricians are assessed annually to make sure they are working to the highest standards; with NAPIT, your home is in safe hands.
A NAPIT registered electrician will be able to check your household wiring is safe and can also compile an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) that will demonstrate the integrity of your electrics; a document that will come in handy when you come to sell your house.
Is it really worth the risk? Remember, you probably won’t know whether your home electrics pose a safety hazard until something goes wrong. So for the peace of mind that comes with hiring a registered professional, visit the NAPIT website and find an Electrician today, at: napit.org/consumer/fastsearch.aspx