A professional electrician is sounding the alarm over a series of common household hazards he and his team discover in homes which could prove extremely dangerous.
James Harrison, Director at Fusion Electrical, has called on homeowners to exercise greater care around their electrical systems, warning that some of the biggest fire-risks has to do with where you’re plugging in appliances.
James revealed: “One of the most frequent issues we see is overloaded extension leads, especially in kitchens and bedrooms. People plug in multiple high-power appliances like kettles, toasters, and microwaves without realising these all draw a lot of current.
“Just because there are four plug sockets doesn’t mean it’s safe to use them all at once. This can easily lead to overheating or even fires.”
Covering up your cables, extension leads and sockets can also be a major safety risk. The expert explained: “People often hide cables behind furniture, under rugs, or even paint over sockets.
“While it might look tidy, it can trap heat, wear down insulation, and increase the risk of faults or fires. Sockets and cables need room to breathe – and they need to be visible so you can spot signs of wear or overheating early.”
DIY electrical work is another major blunder that people encounter while trying to save some pennies. But the expert warned this can end up costing far more.
James said: “We often get called out to sort dangerous wiring jobs or fuse boards tampered with by someone trying to save money. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could cause a short circuit, electrocution, or create a fire hazard. It’s simply not worth the risk.”
Many people also might not know that some of their electrical safety features need to be checked and replaced regularly, particularly the Residual Current Devices (RCD) which is the mechanism that automatically cuts off your electricity when it detects a problem in the electrical current.
The electrician warned: “We see a lot of properties where the RCD hasn’t been tested in years, or it’s faulty and no one realises. Every home should have working RCD protection – it could literally save your life in the event of an electrical fault.”
Homeowners may also be unknowingly dismissing major warning signs that something is wrong with their electical circuits. This includes humming switches, flickering lights and fishy odours.
James urged people to contact an electrician “immediately” if they notice any of these problems. He added: “People think, ‘It’s probably nothing,’ and carry on using the faulty socket or switch. But those signs usually mean something is overheating or arcing – and that’s a serious fire risk.”
The expert urged people to always seek professional help if they’re ever uncertain about any electrical issues in their home, stating: “It’s much cheaper and safer in the long run.
“Your home’s electrics might look fine on the surface, but behind the scenes, problems can build up. We see it all the time. Regular checks and small fixes can prevent major issues – or even save lives.”
