00:02Many homes are now fitted with more devices than ever before, from kitchen appliances to
00:08chargers and entertainment systems. But new research suggests knowledge about how to use
00:13them safely has not kept pace. As updated national standards for electrical installations
00:19take effect, concerns are being raised about everyday habits that could increase the risk
00:24of injury or fire, often without people realising.
00:27Avoid using extension leads for long periods of time. Use an extension lead if you've got
00:34some kind of DOI going on, you've got a drill, you've got something you need power there and
00:38then, but after that don't be using extension leads for long periods of time because you
00:44really should be looking at getting extra sockets installed, because extension leads are a cause
00:49of many fires. We see 19,000 fires annually in the UK.
00:55The research found a gap between confidence and behaviour. While a majority say they are
01:00unsure about electrical DIY, many still carry out tasks or use equipment in ways that could be
01:06unsafe. This includes plugging too many devices into a single socket, continuing to use damaged
01:13leads or not checking whether wiring is suitable for modern demand. At the same time, basic safety
01:19steps are often missed. Many people have never used a fuse box and a significant number do not
01:25regularly check smoke or carbon monoxide alarms. With more high powered devices in daily use,
01:31the demand on home electrical systems has increased, particularly in older properties.
01:36But the vacuum cleaner, you might have run the vacuum cleaner over the cable many times and the
01:41cable's been damaged sufficiently that you can see the bare wire within there. So where you get cables
01:46damaged like that or they've been caught in a door, for example, get the cable replaced. It might mean
01:52that you need to get a specialist person to do that. But it's things like this that put us at
01:58risk.
01:59And, you know, when something happens, we think, I wish I'd done that. So hindsight's a fabulous thing,
02:06but really being proactive is the best thing to save ourselves, our houses, our loved ones.
02:10The latest wiring regulations set out updated safety standards for installations, covering areas such
02:17as circuit protection and the way systems are designed and maintained. Supporters say these
02:22changes reflect how electricity is now used in modern homes and are intended to reduce risk over time.
02:29Safety experts are encouraging households to arrange professional checks where needed and to avoid
02:34attempting work beyond their competence. They also stress simple steps such as not overloading sockets
02:40and replacing damaged cables can make a big difference. The guidance comes alongside
02:46longstanding concerns about the number of domestic fires linked to electrical faults each year.
02:52We all should be able to replace a failed lamp, a failed light bulb in a lamp. We should be
02:58able
02:58to go down to a hardware store and get one of those. We should all really, I'm looking for an
03:02example
03:02on my desk, but we should all really be able to change a plug. Now, after that, imagine with your
03:08vacuum
03:08cleaner, you've knocked it against the socket outlet a few times and you've cracked it. So you've gone down to
03:13the hardware store, you've bought a new socket outlet and you want to install that. So you take the two
03:17screws off the front, you pull it open and immediately you're exposed to live parts which,
03:22if you get it wrong, it can kill you, no two ways about it. So why are people concerned, sceptical
03:28about
03:28this? Well, you're exposed to electricity which can kill. Now, you might want to change your light
03:33fitting in your lounge. When you take the covers off these things or you lower a light fitting down,
03:38they expose the terminals and there's lots of wires there. And if you get it wrong, it can be
03:42pretty dangerous, particularly if you're up a ladder, step ladder for instance, and you receive
03:46a shock, it could throw you backwards off the ladder and you could injure yourself from the fall.
03:52In all these cases, the advice from my organisation is get a competent electrician in to do that work,
03:58a competent registered electrician. The updated regulations apply to new and altered
04:03electrical installations from now on, but existing systems may also need attention over time.
04:09Experts say regular checks and safe day-to-day use remain key. Households are being advised to review
04:15how they use electrical equipment and to seek qualified help where necessary, as demand on home
04:21systems continues to grow. Yeah, there's a website called The Competent Person. And this is showing
04:27the registered, not just electricians, but all trades, but it shows you all registered electricians
04:33in the UK. Now, in the UK, there are probably, what, four organisations that register electricians,
04:40electrical installers, contractors. But if you go to each of their websites, you just get their
04:46registrants. But if you go to The Competent Person website, you're able to choose someone from your area
04:53that could be registered with any of them. So it's a neutral way of finding the right person.
04:57The rules may have changed on paper, but experts say the risks in many homes are already built in,
05:03from years of everyday use and changing demand on household electrics.
05:07And they're urging people to take steps to reduce those risks where they can.
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