Advice for DIY-ers
Don’t put lives at risk by following unreliable advice from social media DIYers.
In a survey Electrical Safety First carried out with 1,000 electricians about their experiences fixing DIY projects:
- More than 30% had reports of electric shocks caused by incompetent DIY-ers.
- 15% reported that DIY had caused an electrical fire.
The most common mistakes people make when attempting to undertake DIY were cutting through power leads, drilling into wiring, or trying to repair an electrical item while it is switched on.
Many people take on projects which should be left to competent experts. DIY work is often driven by tutorials found on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Although there are some jobs people can do themselves, be aware of any potential electrical risks before starting DIY.
Don't try to fix electrics yourself
Any electrical work should be left to competent professionals. The internet is no substitute for having a competent expert do the job safely.
Never follow online DIY advice if you’re not 100% confident it’s been provided by a fully qualified and competent person.
If you're unsure about potential electrical risks, seek advice from a registered competent electrician.
ALWAYS
- Use an RCD or plug-in RCD.
- Shut off the power for DIY close to electrics.
- Check leads and plugs on power tools.
AVOID
- Drilling, nailing or screwing close to cables in the wall.
- Doing any electrical work yourself.
- Falling foul of the law on home renovations.
Tips for electrical safety during DIY
- Locate cables in your wall. A common error is accidentally drilling, nailing, or screwing into cables hidden inside your walls. A quality cable detector can help track buried cables before you start work. Remember it is required that cables buried in walls are installed either horizontally or vertically from electrical accessories like socket-outlets or switches.
- Get an RCD (residual current device). An RCD can save your life by switching off the power quickly if there is an electrical fault. Have an RCD fitted in your fuseboard (consumer unit) or, if there is no RCD to protect the circuit, a plug-in RCD can be used.
- Switch off the power. For any DIY near electrical wiring or power supplies, switch off the power at your fuseboard and, where possible, only use battery-powered tools. To test that the power is off before beginning non-electrical DIY, plug an appliance in or try switching on lights.
- Before using power tools, check the lead and plug. If you see signs of damage (for example, frayed wires) get the equipment professionally repaired before using it or get it replaced. Always be aware of the power lead so you don't accidentally cut through or trip over it.
- Get advice from a registered competent electrician. The best way to avoid electrical accidents is to seek the advice from a professional.
- If you’re not sure, don't DIY. For any electrical work, don't do it yourself. Always get a registered competent electrician to do the job.
Know the law on home renovations
Part P of the Building Regulations is a legal framework that covers householders having work done in their homes.
It states that work considered more dangerous – such as in the bathroom, or the installation of a new circuit – must be undertaken or reviewed and signed off by a registered competent electrician.
A lot of electrical work in the home is ‘notifiable’ meaning that, by law, the local authority must be informed, and it must be certified by a competent electrician.
In our product safety section
Selected FAQs
Answers to commonly-asked questions we receive about electrical safety.
The neutral wire is blue.
When an electrical installation is rewired, it is good practice to remove redundant wiring. If this is not possible, any redundant wiring must be permanently disconnected from any electrical supply so that it doesn’t present a risk.
There are no set guidelines as to when a property should be rewired. Just because your wiring’s old, it doesn’t mean it’s unsafe.
Many factors can affect the wear and tear of your electrical installation, including the materials used and how your property has been used.
We would advise that a periodic inspection is carried out on owner-occupied properties at least every 10 years and every five years in rented accommodation. The test will certify whether the electrics in a property are safe and tell you if anything needs upgrading.
You should carry out regular checks around the house on the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories. If you notice anything unusual - for example, burn marks on plugs and sockets, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling), fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping - get a registered electrician to check your electrics as soon as possible.
There should be a minimum of one smoke alarm per floor with a heat detector in the kitchen. You should fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start. Make sure they are tested regularly - ideally every week.
Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.
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