Advice for older and vulnerable people
The risk of electrical accidents in the home can be higher for older or vulnerable people, especially those in older or poorer quality housing with faulty electrics and appliances.
Many people aged over 75 in the UK live in homes that are not warm enough, are in a state of disrepair, or do not have modern facilities.
Homes can be dangerous if they don’t meet basic electrical safety standards and are without life-saving devices such as a modern consumer unit (fusebox), circuit breakers, RCDs, and PVC wiring.
Health conditions such as dementia or Parkinson’s can also increase the risk of an electrical accident, as they cause reduced mobility and memory.
If you’re worried about your own property or concerned about a neighbour or relative, carry out these simple checks.
Key points
- Regularly check your electrics for signs of wear and tear, using this page as a guide.
- Ask your energy provider to be added to a priority register if you are eligible. This makes you eligible for a tailored billing service, free meter readings, and alternative facilities for cooking and heating if something goes wrong.
- Have a full electrical check carried out at least every ten years by a registered electrician. They will provide you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Consumer unit (fusebox) and RCDs
Your consumer unit controls all the electrics in your home so it’s important you check it’s working safely.
It should have a main switch and fuses and/or circuit breakers. It should NOT have a wooden back, cast iron switches or what looks like a mix of different makes of devices.
If your circuit-breakers trip or fuses regularly blow, get them checked by a registered electrician.
An RCD (Residual Current Device) is a life-saving device in your consumer unit that cuts out power when it detects a fault and prevents you receiving an electric shock.
To check whether your consumer unit has an RCD, look for the ‘Test’ or ‘T’ button. If you have one, pressing it will switch off the power to the areas of the home it protects.
If you don’t have an RCD in your consumer unit, or it’s not working, you should use plug-in RCDs for all the sockets in your home.
Plugs, socket outlets, and cables
If the electrics in a home are more than 50 years old, they should be checked and updated.
But even newer electrics can become damaged or faulty requiring professional attention.
Signs to look for include:
- plug sockets having round pins,
- braided flex hanging from ceiling light fittings,
- sockets being mounted in skirting boards,
- damage to plugs or sockets,
- visible burn marks,
- crackling sounds,
- excessive heat being emitted.
Any cables or extension leads should be in good condition with no signs of damage, cracking or splitting, and should be enclosed in a PVC sheath.
Cuts, damage or signs of excessive wear and tear mean the lead or plug might need replacing.
Avoid trailing cables across the floor or under carpets and rugs, as this can be a trip hazard.
Light fittings and smoke alarms
Any signs of overheating on light fittings such as curled labels, discolouration or scorching is a warning sign.
If you see any cracking or burn marks around light fittings, stop using them immediately and get them checked by a registered electrician.
Every property should have at least one smoke alarm on each floor, and batteries should be changed every year.
Press the ‘Test’ button regularly (at least once a month) to make sure it is working. If you have no smoke alarms, your local Fire and Rescue Service can help.
ALWAYS
-
Use a registered electrician to carry out any work.
-
Test smoke alarms regularly.
-
Check eligibility for extra support.
-
Do visual checks of plugs, sockets, leads, and light fittings.
AVOID
-
Leaving electrics more than 50 years old in place.
-
Trailing cables across floors and carpets.
-
Using any electrics showing visible signs of overheating.
-
Keeping a fusebox without RCD protection. Replace it.
Selected FAQs
Answers to commonly-asked questions we receive about electrical safety.
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.
It depends on its condition rather than its age, if it has been tested and is in good condition and everything is working effectively there is no requirement to rewire. However, you may wish to consider adding RCDs to enhance the safety of the installation.
A qualified electrician will say if your home needs rewiring and what can be achieved within a specific budget.
You can find an electrician local to you here.
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.
Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.
We recommend that you get at least three quotes from different electricians before you go ahead with any major electrical work in your home. We also advise that you always use a registered electrician as if you’re not happy with their work you can complain to their scheme operator, who will in turn ask them to rectify any mistakes.
As first port of call, contact the Building Control department of your Local Authority; they should be able to advise you of your rights as a tenant.
Citizens Advice may be able to provide you with further help.
You should contact either Trading Standards or Citizens Advice to register your concern.
If you want to forward us supporting documentation and images relating to the product, we can objectively review its safety. Send it to enquiries@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
There is no legal requirement to replace sockets if they are positioned on skirting boards in an older property but given that the wiring installation is likely to be old, it is advisable to get a registered electrician to carry out an inspection of the electrics. They will issue you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which will either confirm that the installation is safe or highlight any hazards that need to be addressed.
You can find a registered electrician local to you here.
If the RCD in your fusebox keeps tripping, there is likely to be a fault that needs investigating - either with a particular appliance or the wiring itself.
You should get a registered electrician to investigate and they will be able to advise you on a solution and carry out any work required. You can find one local to you here.
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.
Sign up for emails
Whether you are a member of the public or an electrical professional, we will keep you in the know with the latest electrical safety news and information.