Thinking of installing feature lighting? Talk to us first!

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Feature lighting can be a great way to add a personal touch to the interior of your home and whether you’re considering installing cabinet lighting in your kitchen or recessed lights in the bathroom floor, getting the installation right is essential.

A huge range of different feature lighting is available nowadays and the possibilities are almost endless!  We’ve installed feature lights in flooring, walls and even in gardens but in all cases the same rule applies: safety first.  If you want to achieve a high quality, professional finish it is important to have your feature lighting installed by a registered electrical installation specialist such as Dalec.

So if you’re in the process of carrying out some home improvements or renovations, why not contact us here at Dalec for advice on installing feature lighting?  We’re happy to provide free, no-obligation quotes and professional advice designed to help you get it right first time.

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Cheap chargers pose a fire risk

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A recent and very tragic house fire in Sheffield which killed five people has highlighted the potential risk posed by using faulty electrical charging devices.

Charging devices have become an indispensable feature of our daily lives: mobile phones, laptops, tablets, mp3 players – the list of items which need charging seems to grow all the time.

According to fire safety experts, the greatest risk posed by electric chargers is the cheap generic options which can be easily purchased online.  Just a quick browse on an auction side such as eBay will return details of literally thousands of charging devices, all considerably cheaper than their branded counterparts.  However there is no guarantee that these chargers meet UK and EU safety standards.

One of the main areas of concern is the use of generic chargers – the ones which are marketed as being compatible with a number of different devices.  The danger posed by generic charges comes from the fact that different devices require different levels of charge: generic chargers run the risk of overheating because too much energy is put into the device, causing the battery to overheat.

Branded chargers really are the safest option because they have been specially designed to charge a particular device.  Granted they’re not particularly cheap but where electrical safety is concerned, buying cheap chargers simply isn’t worth the risk.

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More home safety and fire protection tips

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As specialists in all aspects of fire safety and fire protection systems, at Dalec we often use our blog posts to talk about the importance of fire safety in the home.

With fire safety in mind, we thought we’d pass on a few more tips to help you stay safe at home.

Plugs, wiring and fuses

Plugs must always be wired with great care and it’s essential to make sure that no coloured wires are protruding from plugs.  Exposed wires can present a fire risk and the potential for the wires to come into contact with water or debris.  Should you need to change a fuse, double check and then check again that you’re using the correct replacement.  Damaged cables must always be thrown away and don’t ever be tempted to run an electrical cable under a rug or carpet.

Get into a before bed safety routine

The majority of fires in the home start during the night and so a safety routine carried out every bedtime is a great way to help ensure your family is safe.  Make sure all doors are closed to all rooms and switch off and unplug every electrical appliance that is not designed to be left switched on.

If anyone in your household smokes, make sure you empty all ashtrays once the ash has gone cold.  Never, ever smoke in bed and before you go to bed, make sure no cigarettes or pipes are still lit.

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Electrical safety for students

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September sees the start of a new academic year and many students are either leaving home for the first time or returning to university to resume their studies.

With this in mind, we thought we’d highlight the importance of electrical safety in rental properties.  Electrical safety in the home is, of course, hugely important and even more so in properties that are shared by lots of people.

There’s a wealth of advice and guidance available online giving information on the responsibilities of landlords when it comes to electrical safety.  The website of the Citizens Advice Bureau has lots of useful information on electrical safety in rental properties covering areas such the safety of electrical appliances and what to do if a landlord disconnects the electricity supply.  For details please visit www.adviceguide.org.uk

Another useful website is www.saferhouses.co.uk  This website covers the laws ensuring tenant safety in rental properties, including landlords’ responsibilities for providing fire alarm and detection systems and safe electrical installations.

Don’t forget that at Dalec we’re experts in electrical safety and are happy to offer advice and guidance on electrical safety in properties in Leeds.  Whether you are a landlord or homeowner, we’d be happy to help so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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CCTV installation for homes and businesses in Leeds

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Thinking of installing CCTV?  Talk to us first!

CCTV systems have an undeserved reputation for being expensive to install but by using local installation experts such as the team here at Dalec, you’ll find that we can install a reliable system, designed to suit your needs and budget.

We’ve installed hundreds of CCTV systems across West Yorkshire and are proud of our reputation for providing high quality, reliable security and surveillance equipment for both domestic and commercial properties.

The price of installing a CCTV system for your business or home has decreased over recent years and nowadays, thanks to wide range of CCTV systems available, it’s possible to install a CCTV system at a cheaper price and without the monthly fees that come with some monitored intruder alarms.

CCTV systems provide a highly effective deterrent to intruders simply by their presence and crime statistics show that visible CCTV cameras will reduce the potential for criminal activity.

Whether you are looking for a CCTV system for your home or business, you’ll want a system that is reliable, simple to use and offers 24 hour protection for your property.   So if you’d like more information on the benefits of CCTV or a free, no-obligation quote, why not get in touch with us today?

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The importance of electrical safety in bathrooms

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When water and electricity mix the results can be deadly.  With this in mind, we thought we’d give you a few tips on bathroom safety.

When it comes to electrical safety, the bathroom can become the most dangerous room in the house.  Electrical installations in bathrooms come with their own set of special safety requirements and most electrical work must comply with Part P of Building Regulations.

For any electrical work in the bathroom we strongly recommend using registered electricians such as Dalec.

Power sockets- with the exception of shaver supply sockets – are not allowed in bathrooms unless they can be installed at a safe distance of at least three metres from the sink, bath or shower.  Shaver supply sockets must also be installed at a safe distance from the shower or bath to avoid contact with water.

The best type of bathroom lighting is a recessed light or a light that is enclosed and does not hang down.  Ceiling mounted pull-cord switches are the safest option for bathroom lights as everyday light switches can be dangerous when operated with damp hands.

The safest way to heat your bathroom is with a central heating radiator but if you do have an electric heater, it must be installed at a safe distance from the sink, shower or bath.  Again, a pull-cord switch outside the bathroom is the safest way to operate a bathroom heater.

Electric showers should be installed by a qualified electrician and must be supplied on their own circuit, directly from the fuse box.

Last and by no means least, never, ever bring a mains-powered appliance such as a hairdryer into the bathroom as the results can be deadly.

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Don’t underestimate the importance of fire alarm servicing

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If you have a fire alarm system it’s important to understand the importance of
annual servicing. Here at Dalec we are experts in not only fire alarm
installations but also in their servicing and repair.

Annual servicing is the best way to ensure your alarm is working properly and to predict any future faults which could appear. The last thing you want is for a fire to start in your property only then to discover that your alarm isn’t working!

It’s also important to remember that regular maintenance is a requirement of
many insurance companies and if you are unable to supply an up-to-date service
log for your alarm, your insurance policy could be made void.

Inbetween inspections and an annual service carried out by a registered alarm
specialst such as Dalec, it’s important to carry out simple checks such as
making sure that your alarm sounds and any checks you make need to be logged in
your alarm maintenance record book.

If you would like more information on on our fire alarm installation and
maintenance services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We have the
expertise to install a range of fire alarm systems, with different options
suitable for residential, commercial and industrial buildings and we’re always
happy to provide further advice on the most suitable system to suit your
requirements.

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Which burglar alarm system is best for your home?

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Homes come in all shapes and sizes and whether you live in a tenth-floor flat or a large detached property, here at Dalec we’re happy to offer advice and guidance on the best burglar alarm for you.

Studies carried out by the Metropolitan Police have shown that a burglar alarm which is correctly installed and maintained will ensure that your home is less likely to be burgled.  However, there are a number of different types of alarm available and many homeowners are daunted by the choice so we thought we’d cover the basics of what to consider.

The best type of alarm for your home depends on several things, such as the type and size of property, your personal preferences and your budget.  However you’ll need to begin by thinking about what you’d want to happen in the event of the alarm being triggered.  For example, a bell-only type of alarm will simply sound in the event of a break in but will not contact anyone, such as the police or a registered contact.

Alarms with a built-in speech dialler are designed to automatically contact you or a nominated contact (such as a neighbour or friend) when the alarm is triggered.  The other option is to choose an alarm which is part of a monitoring contact: alarms of this type require an annual or monthly subscription payment for a company to take action or call the police in the event of the alarm sounding.

Costs can vary hugely between the different systems and we’ll carry out an initial assessment of your property to find the best alarm to suit your home and your budget.  If you would like further information on our burglar alarm installation services in Leeds, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Home security at Christmas

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At this time of year homes are at their most susceptible to burglary: during the build-up to Christmas intruders are all too aware that many of us stock up on electrical items such as iPads, laptops or cameras to give as gifts to loved-ones, leaving many homes at increased risk of being broken into.

With this in mind it can be sensible to review the security of your home and aside from installing a new or more advanced burglar alarm system; there are lots of things you can do to help protect your home from intruders.

Many burglaries are carried out opportunistically but in some cases, burglars will check out a property in advance so it’s wise to make that your home always looks occupied and to make sure that the entrances to your home are visible at all times.  Simple steps to take include using timer switches to turn lamps on and off automatically and dawn to dusk exterior lighting installed over your front and back door.  Don’t leave your curtains closed all the time when you’re away and if you can, ask a friend or neighbour to move the post from your front doormat.

A visible burglar alarm can prove a very effective deterrent so it’s important to ensure that the bell box of your alarm system is visible from the road.  If you don’t have an alarm it is possible to buy fake burglar alarm bell boxes and these are a good alternative if you can’t afford a full system.

Don’t overlook the security of your shed or garage as they can be particularly susceptible to theft at this time of year: simple alarm systems can be purchased to protect out-buildings and a decent bolt and padlock is usually sufficient to put off most opportunist thieves.

Here at Dalec we’re specialists in all aspects of home security and our services are available to homeowners in Leeds.  If you would like further advice or information on protecting your home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

 

 

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Switch off and save money

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Here at Dalec we love saving money and with this in mind, we were very interested to read that turning appliances off at night could save around £80 per year on the average electricity bill.

We know it’s all too easy to leave the TV or DVD player on at night but it’s becoming more common for people to leave other appliances on, such as computers, tablets and mobile phones.  Other appliances – dishwashers and washing machines, for example – are also often left on stand-by, even though they might appear to be switched off.

Appliances left on stand-by can account for up to 16% of the average electricity bill of around £500 a year so spending a little time each evening turning everything off before you go to bed is a cheap and easy way to save money.

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