If you’ve ever been about to turn on a lamp or using the hoover and the fuse in the plug has blown, it can be really irritating to say the least.  Before you rush to change the fuse, here’s how to do it safely:

1. The first thing you need to do is to remove the cover of the plug and this can be done by either unscrewing it or sliding it off, depending on the type of plug.
2. Pliers are required for removing the blow fuse: needle pliers are the best tool for this and be careful not to break the fuse whilst you’re taking it out.  It should be fairly easy to tell if the fuse has blown because it will look dark and ‘smudged’ or the wires that you can see inside will be broken.
3. The new fuse (make sure it has the same amp rating) should be inserted into the metal clips that form the fuse housing.  Please note that using the correct fuse is essential and if you’re unsure, you need to speak to an expert.
4. The final step is to replace the cover of the plug – whichever appliance the plug is attached to should be safe to use.

A word of caution: remember that electricity is extremely dangerous and if you need advice on any aspect of using electricity in the home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

If you are a landlord in Leeds you’ll be well aware of the legislation surrounding electrical safety in rental properties.  Electrical safety is hugely important in properties of any type and when you consider that 30 deaths and 4000 accidents are recorded each year in the UK as a direct result of electricity, this puts the importance of electrical safety into perspective.

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all electrical equipment and electrical systems within a property are safe.  Landlords are required to do this by law and means that all appliances in the property, along with the internal wiring, have to be maintained to a high standard.

To further ensure the safety of tenants, landlords are also required to give copies of any documentation relating to the maintenance of electrical appliances and electrical systems, and appliance instructions are also included in this requirement.

If you would like advice on electrical safety in a rental property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

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.

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.

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.