These are general safety guidelines for using electrical equipment in your house and garden. Try to spot potential problems beforehand - don’t wait for an accident
Basic tips for inside the house
- don't use electrical equipment or switches with wet hands
- don't fill up your steam iron while it’s plugged in
- don't cover up ventilation holes or slots in electrical equipment
- turn off heating and cooking appliances before you leave the house
- make sure that power sockets, switches and other accessories can't splashed with water, either directly from taps or by normal use of the sink
- keep flammable items well away from light bulbs, heaters, toasters and other appliances – they can get hot!
Get a qualified electrician to look at your wiring if you notice any of these signs:
- constantly blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
- feeling a tingle when you touch an electrical appliance
- discoloration of power sockets
- a burning or unusual (fishy) smell coming from an appliance or wiring
- a sizzling sound at light switches, power switches or sockets
- flickering lights
Do not mix water and electricity
Water can conduct electricity from a faulty wire or appliance – including wet skin. So keep electrical appliances away from water. For instance, never use a radio near the bath or shower, unless it's battery-operated. And never touch electric cables, switches or appliances when you're wet, standing in water or have wet hands.
Unplug appliances before cleaning them – even if they're off, they can still shock. Never submerge an electrical appliance in water, even if it’s unplugged: residual water can be a shock hazard later. If there’s moisture where you're working, make sure your tools and cables are designed for heavy-duty use and protected by RCDs. Dirt and dampness also increase the risk of shock.
RCD protection in the garden
An RCD switches off the electricity automatically when it detects a short circuit. Power sockets used for outdoor equipment, such as lawn mowers or hedge trimmers, should be protected by an RCD with a maximum rated residual operating current of 30 mA.
You can get a good quality plug-in RCD adaptor as a temporary measure, but it's safest to install a permanent one. Remember to test it every three months or so.
Using drum extension cables
If you use a drum-style extension cable without unwinding it, it can overheat, which may result in a fire. Such extreme damage might also cause an electric shock. A fully unwound cable reduces the risk of it overheating.
Wet conditions
Don't use electrical equipment when it's raining or in areas that are being watered. The risk of serious electric shock is far higher in wet conditions, plus the ground may be slippery, increasing the likelihood of an accident. Wet conditions can also damage your electrical equipment.
Garden lighting
Faulty or incorrect outdoor lighting can cause shocks. For 230 V garden lighting:
- buy good quality outdoor lighting equipment from a reputable retailer
- ensure fittings (luminaires) are weatherproof
- ensure lighting fittings for water features are waterproof
- ensure installation by a competent electrician, to the manufacturer's instructions and BS 7671 (the national safety standard for electrical installation)
- regularly check for damaged fittings, cables and connections
- always remove leaves and dirt from fittings
Lawn mowing and hedge trimming
Electric lawn mowers and hedge trimmers can cut through electric cables, causing a real risk of electric shock. There's also a risk of injury from contact with blades. Never use electric equipment in the rain or when the ground is wet. This will also improve mower operation, as wet clippings tend to clog up and shut down the engine.
When using a lawn mower or hedge trimmer, always:
- follow manufacturers' instructions closely
- wear shoes that give foot protection (not sandals)
- ensure your extension cable is the size recommended by the manufacturer and designed for outdoor use
- organize your work so that you start near the power socket, then move outward to reduce your chances of accidentally damaging the cable
- keep children and pets well away
- keep equipment away from your feet and the flexible cable
- unplug equipment and wait until the blades have stopped moving before cleaning blockages
- ensure the engine is shut down if you walk away – it's best to unplug it
For mowers, always:
- clear the lawn of stones and other obstructions first
- push the mower forward, as pulling backward increases the risk of slipping and cutting your feet or the cable
For hedge trimmers, always:
- wear gloves and goggles to protect your hands and eyes
- keep both hands on the handles