NICEIC Urges Homeowners to Prioritise Electrical Safety This Bank Holiday

As households prepare to make the most of the Easter bank holiday weekend, NICEIC, the UK’s leading certification and training body for the electrical industry, is urging homeowners to put safety first when tackling DIY projects and to recognise when electrical work should be left to a registered professional.

Long weekends and improving weather traditionally spark a surge in home and garden improvements, with many homeowners keen to refresh living spaces, install outdoor lighting or power up new garden features. However, while painting, decorating and basic maintenance can be completed safely, electrical work carries far greater risks.

From installing new light fittings and adding extra socket-outlets, to wiring garden offices or outdoor power supplies, seemingly simple electrical jobs can quickly become complex and potentially dangerous without the right tools, knowledge, and experience. Faulty electrics can lead to electric shocks, fires, costly remedial work and invalidated home insurance, which is why you should always call in an expert.

To find a NICEIC-registered electrician near you, visit the NICEIC Find a Trusted Tradesperson tool at niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson.

Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, said: “Bank holiday weekends are a popular time for DIY, with many homeowners keen to use the time productively to make improvements around the house or garden. For lots of jobs that is absolutely fine, but I urge householders to remember DIY electrics are never worth the risk. If something goes wrong, there can be real and serious consequences for both your property and your safety. 

“In many cases there are also legal considerations with many jobs considered ‘notifiable work’ under Part P of the Building Regulations in England & Wales. This means the work must be notified to your Local Authority Building Control for inspection and approval. Using a NICEIC-registered electrician ensures the work is carried out safely, competently and in line with current regulations.” 

Electrical jobs you may be considering that should be left to a professional: 

• Installing new circuits, a new consumer unit or upgrading an old fuse box.
• Adding or relocating socket-outlets and switches.
• Installing outdoor lighting, garden power supplies or wiring for hot tubs and garden rooms.
• Electrical work in bathrooms or kitchens.
• Any work that involves altering wiring.

Paul added: “Electrical safety isn’t just about the immediate job in hand; it’s about protecting your home and the people in it for the long term. Cutting corners to save money can prove to be a false economy if remedial work is required later.

“If you’re planning improvements this bank holiday and the project involves electrics, our advice is simple: contact a NICEIC-registered electrician. It provides peace of mind that the work has been properly assessed and meets the latest safety standards.”

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 out more about NICEIC, visit niceic.com

Source : NICEIC

Image : NICEIC

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.