NICEIC Urges Consumers to Prioritise Safe Garden Work

With the arrival of warmer weather, many households will take the opportunity to improve their garden, from full garden transformations to getting on top of the little jobs that accumulated over the winter. NICEIC, the UK’s leading certification and training body for the electrical industry, is reminding householders to prioritise safety and never attempt electrical DIY, including in the garden. 

In recent years, outdoor living, including dining areas, hot tubs and outdoor kitchens have become more popular than ever. These types of home improvements often involve electrical work. Socket-outlets, lighting, electrical equipment and appliances all need to be installed correctly. In the garden, there may be additional factors to consider such as weatherproofing. NICEIC is therefore urging those considering the installation of any outdoor kitchen or dining areas to prioritise electrical safety and contact a registered electrician to carry out any works. 

Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, commented: “Understandably, many households will want to make the most of the spring and summer weather to complete garden improvements. Over the last few years there has been a surge in the popularity of projects such as outdoor lighting and garden kitchens which require the expertise of a registered electrician.” 

“DIY electrics can lead to serious electrical hazards. To ensure work is done safely and in line with current regulations, get in touch with a registered electrician. It will also give you invaluable peace of mind that you are not putting your property and your safety at risk.” 

NICEIC has put together a simple garden electrical safety checklist: 

• Ensure electrical equipment that is outdoors is waterproof and RCD (residual current device) protected. If they are not, they shouldn’t be used.
  
  
• Keep water-related products such as hoses, sprinklers and paddling pools away from electrical equipment.
  
  
• Check manufacturer’s instructions to ensure all electrical equipment and cabling is suitable for outside use.
  
  
• Only buy electrical goods from reputable retailers.

There are currently over 40,000 NICEIC-registered electricians across the UK, all regularly assessed to ensure they deliver work in line with up-to-date electrical regulations. To find a registered electrician near you, visit: niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson/

Source : NICEIC

Image : Doralin Samuel Tunas / shutterstock / 2700869549

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