Electrical safety and testing

Electrical inspections are done by our contractor RS Electricals. Their engineers will always carry an ID card. 

The engineer will phone you to arrange an appointment. 

The electrical test normally takes around two hours. 

If you can't make the appointment for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible so we can rearrange. It's really important you allow the engineer access to your home.  

Regular inspections are the best way to keep electrical installations safe and ensure we comply with the law. 

The inspection will: 

• show if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded 
• find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards 
• identify any defective electrical work 
• highlight any lack of earthing or bonding. 

It covers: 

• the electrical intake (where electricity enters your home, near to the consumer unit or fuse box) 
• the consumer unit 
• the main protective bonding (which connects pipework with the electrics in a property) 
• fixtures and fittings (such as light fittings and sockets) 
• wires and cables 
• mains-powered smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Adaptors and extension leads in our homes can increase the number of appliances it's possible to plug into a wall socket. 

But even if there's space to plug in several appliances, it’s not always safe to do so. 

Plugging in too many devices to one socket, or loading more current than the lead can manage, can cause appliances to overheat and catch fire. 

Always check the current rating of the extension lead before plugging appliances into it. Most are rated at 13A, but some are only 10A or less. 

Use this socket overload calculator to check.

DIY errors cause half of all serious electric shocks in UK homes. 

DIY wiring can lead to electrical parts overheating, fires, electric shocks and even death. 

If you're in a rented home and you think something is wrong with your electrics, please get in touch with us.

Over half of accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity. Most of these are because of misused or faulty electrical products. 

To keep your home and household safe:

• Always buy from a trusted retailer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing, using and maintaining electrical appliances
• Don’t leave washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers running overnight or when you are out
• If an appliance makes a strange noise or isn’t working properly, don't ignore it.  Unplug it and contact the manufacturer. 

Last year, more than 4 million UK shoppers bought a fake electrical product, of which a quarter were purchased from an online marketplace such as eBay. Use the  Check It Out to check if you're about to buy from a third-party online seller. 

Kitchens are where most serious electrical faults and fires occur. To stay safe:

• Don’t leave electrical appliances like dishwashers or washing machines running unattended 
• Don’t wrap flexible cables around any equipment when it is still warm
• Check that flexible leads and appliances such as kettles and toasters are in good condition
• Don’t try to clean or repair an appliance when it's plugged in 
• Never try to get toast that is stuck out of a toaster while it's plugged in, and especially not with a metal knife as there are often live parts inside.
• Clean your oven and grill regularly – built-up fat and grease is a major cause of fires
• Avoid storing objects on top of appliances like the microwave, which can block ventilation
• Defrost your fridge and freezer at least once a year to ensure they continue to work properly. 

You can find lots more useful tips on the Electrical Safety First website.