Here at Dalec we aim to give our customers great quality service at keen prices. We’re here to form a relationship with our clients rather than just be seen as the company that services your alarms every year. You’ll find all of our alarm fitters and electricians are personable and happy to help with any issues that you have. Call us on 01535 606006 with any issues that you have and we’ll be happy to help in the best way that we can!

There’s no denying that Christmas lights look very pretty and at this time of year most of us will be digging out illuminations from lofts and dusty storage spaces, ready to decorate our homes for the festive season.

However old electrical decorations and lights that have been poorly stored, and lights that are plugged into overloaded sockets, can present potential electrical hazards that can be easily avoided.

My top tip is to replace any lights or electrical decorations that are old, have been exposed to damp when not designed to be or that don’t meet the latest rigorous standards.  This is the safest and the most sensible solution as good quality Christmas lights and decorations can be bought at great value prices from reputable suppliers.

Christmas lights are designed to operate at extra-low voltage (usually around 12-24 volts) or at mains voltage (230 volts).  Extra-low voltage lights are definitely the safest option as they will significantly reduce the risk of an electric shock, even if the lights are faulty or if one of the lamps has broken.  Look on the product packaging to find out the rated voltage of the lights – this info should be clearly marked.

Some simple safety precautions to take when using Christmas lights and electrical decorations:

• Never use lights outside unless they’re designed for outside use – this will be clearly marked on the packaging
• Always follow the instructions and never connect the lights to a mains supply whilst they’re still in the packaging
• Don’t try and repair faulty lights – it’s always best to replace them
• Turn lights off at night and if you go out
• Keep lights away from flammable decorations and other flammable materials
• Never overload sockets and try to avoid using extension lead and plug adaptors

So enjoy your Christmas lights and stay safe during the festive season!  For further advice on rewiring and all aspects of electrical work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re anything like the team here at Dalec, you’ll be fed up of the long dark nights and short days that we have at the time of year.

Security lighting is an excellent way to not only protect your home or business against theft or vandalism, it can also prove a valuable asset in helping navigate around the exterior of your property at night.  Before installing security lighting at my home, I’d lost count of the number of times I arrived home at night and struggled to locate my keys in the dark, or answered the door without being able to see who was standing on my front step. However security lighting will effectively illuminate your driveway and doorways at night, whilst providing an excellent deterrent against intruders.

At Dalec we install and fit security lighting systems to homes and businesses throughout Leeds, Keighley and Yorkshire and can offer advice on the most effective lighting for your property.  From a simple motion sensor security light to protect your back garden, through to programmable lighting solutions to designed to protect large buildings, our team will happy to talk through the various options available.

When fitted in conjunction with a security system, security lighting offers the reassurance of complete protection from intruders and at Dalec we have many years of experience in the design and installation of security systems.

For extra protection for your home or business throughout the year, why not get in touch for further information on installing security lighting?

Happy New Year to all our customers!  We hope you’ve had a happy and relaxing Christmas and if you’re anything like the team here at Dalec, you’ll be looking forward to a busy 2014!

We thought we’d kick off this year’s blogs with a reminder about electrical safety in the kitchen.  Now you may not have realised it but the kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house.  More than 50% of house fires begin in a kitchen.  Kitchen fires can start for a variety of reasons but most are due to faulty wiring, pans left unattended or when electrical sockets come into contact with water.  However by following a few simple electrical safety rules, you can help make your kitchen a safer place to be!

Now most modern kitchens boast an alarming number of electrical appliances and gadgets so having an adequate supply of electrical sockets is essential.  Never overload sockets and regardless of how small your kitchen may be, it is vital that sockets are positioned well away from taps and any other sources of water.

Even if electrical kitchen appliances meet current British safety standards, they can still be potentially dangerous if used incorrectly.  Smaller kitchen appliances such as toasters, microwaves and kettles should always be turned off when not in use and it’s important to ensure that electric chords are kept well away from hot surfaces such as cooker hobs.  It goes without saying that small appliances should never be positioned under or near curtains or blinds.

If you’ve moved house or are considering having a new kitchen fitted, it’s important to contact registered safety professionals such as Dalec for advice on the electrical wiring in your kitchen.  As specialists in all types of electrical installation, we can offer guidance on the best places for plug sockets and can carry out safety checks on electrical wiring of any age.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions about electrical safety in your home.  We’re specialists in electrical safety and electrical installations – our services are available to homes and businesses throughout Leeds and West Yorkshire.

We’ve read with interest an article on the Electrical Safety Council’s website which highlights the dangers of hiring unqualified, unregistered electricians.

The Electrical Safety Council, a charity which works to promote electrical safety and good practice, has found that around a quarter of people who have hired an electrician have done so without checking that they are suitably qualified.  Electrical accidents and faults are responsible for over half of the house fires in the UK and the Electrical Safety Council is keen to stress the importance of hiring electricians who have the appropriate qualifications.

At Dalec we are registered members of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) – the UK’s leading trade association for electricians and electrical contractors; offering our clients and customers the reassurance that we are fully qualified to install, inspect, test, design and maintain electrical services.

However, the Electrical Safety Council estimates that there are approximately 20,000 non-registered electricians working in the UK which is a very worrying figure.  The charity is concerned that a combination of casual attitudes to hiring non-registered electricians, and unawareness of how to check whether an electrician is registered, are contributing to electrical accidents in homes.

The study carried out by the Electrical Safety Council has found that one third of people hired an electrician recommended by a friend, without checking the electrician’s credentials.  The study also showed that a quarter of those who took part would hire an un-registered electrician if they wanted work carried out quickly or at short notice.

This issue is of huge concern and what makes it even more worrying is that the problem appears to be on the rise.  The Electrical Safety Council say that one third of registered electricians have seen an increase in substandard or dangerous electrical work carried out by unregistered electricians; and this is certainly something that we’re seeing more and more often.

The Electrical Safety Council’s Director General, made the following comment: “It is worrying that many people are simply unaware of the need to ensure the person carrying out electrical work in their home is competent.  Choosing an electrician registered with a government approved scheme guarantees they have the skills to carry out the work and ensures procedures are in place should something go wrong.  Electrical safety is not something anyone should take a gamble on – this is why we are providing information online, to support people in identifying registered electricians in their area.  You wouldn’t get an unregistered tradesperson to fix your boiler so why do it for your electrics?”

We couldn’t agree more!  If you would like further advice or to arrange for a free quote at a time to suit you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.