From the minute we hear the irritating sound of our alarm clock first thing in the morning, till we switch off our bedside light at night, the daily routine of our lives would cease to exist if it were not for one thing - electricity.

No shower, no toast or coffee for breakfast, no morning television as we head out to work. No fridge or freezer, no microwave or air fryer and what would life be without Coronation St or Match of the Day. There would be a permanent ‘no internet connection’ and no mobile phone charger.

Everything we do in life would be adversely affected if there was no electricity to be had at the simple flick of a switch. Yet the same utility which shapes and enhances our lives causes around thirty deaths, and thousands of injuries every year in the home. About a quarter of electrical fires in the UK are caused mainly by faulty or damaged wiring in domestic electrical installations or domestic appliances.

It is true to say that familiarity breeds contempt and as we take for granted that when we flick that switch the light comes on or the appliance works, we forget that we are dealing with a potentially dangerous commodity. When electrical circuits are installed in a new building, they are designed to comply with very stringent set of rules and regulations. Likewise a new electrical appliance is designed to work safely, if used properly. Electrical wiring however, can deteriorate over time and should be checked on a regular basis. We have our central heating boilers and our cars serviced regularly to ensure that they are safe and performing at their best and we should also have electrical checks carried out from time to time. It is because of the potential deterioration in both electrical installations and appliances that private landlords are legally obliged to have them checked, to help ensure the safety of their tenants. There is obviously a cost to having these checks done, but if they are done every ten years the cost per annum is not high. Someone once said “If you think safety is expensive, try having an accident”.

If our installation and appliances are all in good working order, then electrical safety falls to the user and the way they use their appliances. Different parts of the home use different appliances and carry slightly different risks when using them. Many of the checks carried out in safety checks mentioned above are visual checks so every so often, look at the wires and connections on your appliances before you use them.

Fused plugs can also be a source of dangerous practices. Often referred to as Cartridge Fuses, the replaceable fuses in most plugs come in a range of Amp ratings. The higher the rating the more current the fuse will tolerate. Many appliances have a small label attached to them, or their cable which denotes the correct fuse for that appliance. Your appliance has a fuse designed into it as a safety measure, so It is never safe to replace a cartridge fuse with the only one you have left in your tool box or even worse, with a small strip of aluminium foil as a temporary measure. If your appliance overheats and the fuse does not do its job, a faulty appliance may overheat, fail and cause a fire.

Fuse ratings also come into play when you are using a 4 or 6 gang extension lead. These extension leads are rated at 13amp which is the maximum you should load the socket with. This means you can use multiple appliances on one socket using the lead, as many appliances are rated at less than 13amp. Table lamps, standard lamps, televisions, computers, mixers, most blenders, fridges, freezers and phone charger, are all typically rated at 3amp. Larger appliances which are more power hungry, such as washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, kettles, toasters and irons tend to be rated at 13amp. You do need to take care that you do not overload the extension lead as that could pose a fire risk, do not plug more than one 13amp appliance into a socket or extension lead. Many multi extension leads have each plug-in socket individually switched so that not all appliances need to be switched on all of the time and they further protect your appliances from damaging power surges.

Electricity and water do not mix, which is why in a modern home, there are no switches in the bathroom or shower room. Always keep portable electrical appliances away from sinks, wash hand basins or garden hoses. If working outside, always use a Residual Current Device (RCD) to protect the circuit. This will cut off the power to an appliance should the plug get wet or the circuit short, which can happen if a lawnmower accidentally cuts the power cable.

If you are buying appliances to be used in your garden, such as electric heaters, water features or lights, always ensure they are waterproof and suitable for outdoor use. An IP44 rating on an outdoor appliance is not uncommon and would be classed as showerproof, while an IP65 rating would be classed as waterproof but not suitable for immersion in water. Outdoor lighting should also be kept clear of dead leaves and debris as they can be a fire risk. If an electrical appliance which is not waterproof gets wet, unplug it right away and leave it until it has dried out. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity and will carry the electricity from the motor of a wet or damp appliance to the casing, including the handle, which could be fatal for the user.

When unboxing or unwrapping a new appliance it is easy to ignore the written instruction either on the box or inside the packaging. Don’t just plug it in and ‘let’s see how this works’. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and safety advice, it’s there for a reason, which is to help ensure you know how to use the appliance safely. Also in the packaging you might find an invitation to register your new appliance and it is easy to dismiss this as the need to do this may not be immediately obvious. Think for a moment though, how many times have you heard or read of products being recalled due to safety concerns. If the manufacturer knows you have one of their products which may be unsafe, they will be able to contact you immediately with safety advice or to recall the product.

In this modern world, not having electricity would be massively life changing. Careless use of electricity could be life ending. Always treat electricity with respect and if you are in any doubt about the safety of either an installation or an appliance, contact a local electrician

If you are looking for help with any electrical issues, you may find some of these services useful: