Find out more & book online at 3btraining.com
The home can be a much more dangerous place than you think. It is important to be aware of electrical safety and the potential hazards that you may face so an accident can be avoided.
As technology has advanced, electricity has become more and more important in our lives. Unfortunately, this increases the likelihood of an accident. We use electricity so regularly it’s almost like we forget how powerful and dangerous it is; here are a few ways to avoid a potentially fatal electrical accident.
Some of the most common hazards that come with electricity are…
If you have recently moved into an old property, have your wiring checked by a professional to ensure that it is safe. Make sure you have your wiring installation checked at least every five years no matter how old the building is.
Look out for signs of authenticity on your electrical appliances so that you know they are safe. Check for the CE mark, this will ensure that it reaches the relevant safety requirements. If you have owned an electric blanket for a while, review the manufacturer’s instructions to check that it is safe to use.
As time goes by electrical appliances become faulty and damaged; look out for deteriorating flexes and wires. Keep an eye out for exposed wires, melting plastic or any scorch marks. Check that all your light fittings and switches are not showing any signs of damage. Get a professional to check any damage as soon as possible! This also applies to faulty appliances that appear well on the outside but don’t seem to be fulfilling their purpose.
Overloading plug sockets is a very common bad habit; a bad habit which seems to gets overlooked. Overloading plug sockets can be a huge fire hazard and can also damage the plug sockets. Even though there may be space on an extension lead it doesn’t mean it’s safe to fill it. Check the rating of the extension cord when judging what to plug into it. Another common bad habit is plugging one extension lead to another; this can be another way of overheating the lead.
Although plug hole covers are designed to protect children from the plug socket; the device is said to undermine the safety features of a three-hole plug. Although this is the case putting your finger in a live plug socket could be potentially fatal and must be avoided.
To protect the whole of your house, why not install an RCD? An RCD or residual current device is devised to prevent you from being shocked by live electricity. The RCD’s sensitivity safety device will automatically shut off the electricity if there is a fault.
3B Training’s Fire Warden course covers how to prevent and tackle electricity fires. If you would like to book onto a Fire Warden/Marshall course click here.
Take a look at our hints and tips on how to prevent potentially fatal fire at home here.
This blog explores the key differences in managing asbestos in domestic and commercial settings to ensure safety and compliance.
CITB has announced an extension on Industry Accreditation Grants for qualifications completed by 31st March 2026.
This guide covers all things New Road and Street Works including what street works is and what NRSWA courses are available.
