NICEIC: Don’t let faulty electrics ruin your Christmas
With Christmas Day fast approaching, NICEIC, the UK’s leading certification and training body for the electrical industry, is warning Brits of the electrical faults, risks, and dangers that could put a dampener on their Christmas festivities.
NICEIC is highlighting specific hazards that could arise from additional usage of electrics, decorations, cooking and new electrical appliances.
Paul Collins, technical director at NICEIC, said: “While Christmas is a time for family food, presents and fun electrical safety within the home should still be a priority, especially at a time where we may be more likely to become complacent. By following our list of tips, families can ensure they have their turkey on time, without the risk of an electrical fire.”
What to look out for:
Flickering or dimming lights- while everyone loves twinkling lights at Christmas, a flickering light is not something that should be ignored. If lights consistently flicker, dim noticeably when other appliances are switched on, or if lamps/ bulbs blow frequently, it can indicate a loose connection, or an issue with circuit wiring or the equipment itself.
Persistent tripping - if a circuit breaker or RCD trips repeatedly or fails to reset, a fuse repeatedly blows, or if a specific circuit frequently cuts out, this can signal a major fault that requires immediate investigation by a professional.
The smell of burning or scorching - any distinct smell of hot plastic, burning insulation, or scorching coming from a wall socket, switch, or the fuse box itself is an emergency. This indicates extreme overheating and a severe risk of fire; power should be isolated immediately, and an electrician contacted straight away.
Hot switches or socket-outlets - if a socket-outlet or switch feels hot to the touch, or if there is visible discolouration or burn marks around the fitting, it suggests a dangerous loose connection or excessive current draw that could lead to ignition. Do not attempt to use the item again until it has been inspected by a registered electrician.
Avoid Overloading Socket-outlets – householders should avoid plugging too many appliances into one outlet and strictly avoid "daisy-chaining" extension leads. High-draw appliances, particularly modern cooking systems like air fryers, should always be connected directly to a socket-outlet and operated under supervision to prevent localised overheating and electrical failure.
Inspect all equipment - before use, all electrical equipment, including indoor and outdoor lighting, must be thoroughly checked. Any unit displaying signs of physical damage - such as frayed flexes, cuts, exposed wires or flickering lamps/bulbs - must be immediately taken out of use and safely discarded.
Electrical emergencies over the holidays can often be challenging, especially when it comes to finding an electrician on call to help sort out any faults within the home. If you find yourself in this position, visit www.niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson/ to find your nearest NICEIC-registered electrician.