Simple Electrical Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know 

Weekends often give us the perfect chance to catch up on jobs around the house. From painting the spare room to assembling new furniture, DIY can be r ewarding and cost-effective. But when it comes to electrics, the safest advice is simple: don’t attempt electrical DIY yourself. 

Electrical work in the UK is tightly regulated for good reason. Mistakes can cause fires, shocks, or even fatal injuries. That’s why bodies like Electrical Safety First continue to push awareness campaigns such as “Don’t Die for DIY”, reminding people that only a competent electrician should carry out electrical installations or repairs. 

In this guide, we’ll cover some practical safety tips you can follow at home, highlight common mistakes to avoid, and show how professional training — through courses like those offered by Elec Training — is key to working safely with electricity. 

Why electrical DIY is never worth the risk 

Many people turn to YouTube tutorials or quick Google searches to fix a broken socket, extend a light fitting, or rewire a plug. While this might look straightforward, without formal training you risk breaking the law under Part P of the Building Regulations. 

It’s not just about rules; it’s about safety. A wrongly connected wire could overheat and start a fire inside your walls — often without you realising until it’s too late. A loose earth connection could leave metal parts live, creating a shock hazard for anyone touching an appliance or switch. 

The reality is clear: if you need electrical work done, call a qualified electrician. For anyone interested in becoming one themselves, courses like Electrician Courses Rugeley provide the proper foundation to start training safely. 

Electrical safety tips for every household 

Even if you’re not carrying out installations yourself, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to reduce risks in your home. 

1. Don’t charge devices on beds or sofas

Phone and laptop batteries generate heat while charging. Placing them on soft furnishings restricts airflow, increasing the risk of overheating and fire. Always charge devices on a hard, flat surface. And never place a charging phone under your pillow — a viral photo showed how one overheated charger scorched through a pillow, highlighting the danger. 

2. Unplug chargers when not in use

It’s easy to leave phone or laptop chargers plugged in around the house. But idle chargers still draw power and can get warm. They also increase the risk of sparks or surges. Make it a habit to switch off and unplug chargers once your device is full. 

3. Avoid overloading sockets

UK households often use more devices than ever before — smart speakers, laptops, TVs, phone chargers, and heaters can all end up on the same extension. Overloading can cause wires to overheat. Use a socket calculator from Electrical Safety First to check safe limits, and spread your devices across multiple outlets where possible. 

4. Don’t daisy-chain extension leads

Plugging one extension into another (known as daisy-chaining) is a recipe for overheating and fire. If your device cable doesn’t reach, either move the device closer to a permanent socket or have a new socket installed by a qualified electrician. 

5. Register your appliances

Many manufacturers offer free online registration for household appliances. Doing so ensures you’ll be contacted if there’s a product recall or safety notice. Unregistered appliances can leave households unaware of dangerous faults. 

What landlords need to know 

If you’re a landlord, you have legal duties under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations. These include ensuring electrical installations are tested every five years, and that an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is provided to tenants. 

Failing to comply can lead to fines and put tenants at risk. With the 2026–28 JIB pay deal highlighting growing wages for qualified electricians, landlords should recognise the value of paying competent professionals rather than attempting to cut corners. 

Colour blindness and electrical safety 

An often-overlooked issue in electrical s afety is colour blindness. In the UK, wiring colours follow strict codes (brown = live, blue = neutral, green/yellow = earth). Misidentifying these can be catastrophic. 

Our blog on becoming an electrician with colour blindness explores how this affects learners and professionals. With the right support, colour-blind individuals can still work safely in the trade, but awareness is critical. 

Can DIY affect your earning potential? 

It might sound odd, but how you approach electrical safety links directly to your long-term career options. Qualified electricians command strong rates — as shown in our 2025 pay guide. Shortcuts or DIY work risk not just safety, but your professional reputation too. 

Even for homeowners not planning a career change, the message stands: work with electricity should always be carried out by those with proper training. 

Training the right way 

If reading these tips has made you consider a career change, the good news is there are structured routes available. Starting with Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas, moving into NVQ portfolios, and finally passing the AM2, learners can achieve the ECS Gold Card — the industry benchmark. 

At Elec Training, we support learners at all stages. Whether you’re a beginner in Rugeley looking to enrol on Electrician Courses Rugeley or an experienced worker preparing for inspection and testing, we provide the pathway to becoming safe, competent, and employable. 

Electrical safety at home doesn’t need to be complicated. By following simple steps — avoiding overloaded sockets, charging devices responsibly, and never attempting DIY — you can significantly reduce risks for you and your family. 

And if you want to go further, invest in proper training. Visit Elec Training to explore courses across the Midlands and beyond. Because whether you’re aiming to become a qualified electrician or simply want peace of mind at home, nothing is more important than electrical safety. 

FAQ: Electrical Safety and Training in the UK 

1 – Is it ever safe for homeowners to attempt electrical DIY work in the UK?

No, it is not always safe for homeowners to attempt electrical DIY work in the UK, as most electrical installations must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, which requires work to be designed and installed to protect people from fire and electric shock. Minor, non-notifiable tasks like replacing a socket faceplate or light switch may be safe if done correctly and with power isolated, but major work (e.g., new circuits, consumer units) should only be done by qualified electricians to avoid hazards like electrocution or fires. Inadequate DIY can lead to invalid insurance or legal issues. Always check local regulations and consider hiring a professional for safety.  

2 – Why is Part P of the Building Regulations important for domestic electrical work?

Part P is important because it ensures that fixed electrical installations in dwellings are suitably designed, installed, inspected, and tested to protect against fire and electric shock, reducing risks in homes, flats, and outdoor areas. It applies to new properties and alterations, requiring competent persons (e.g., registered electricians) to self-certify work, promoting safety and compliance.  

3 – What are the risks of charging phones or laptops on beds, sofas, or under pillows?

Charging devices on soft surfaces like beds, sofas, or under pillows traps heat, leading to overheating, battery swelling, or fires due to restricted airflow and potential lithium-ion battery failure. This poses burn, electric shock, or fire hazards, with Apple warning against such practices. Always charge on hard, ventilated surfaces.  

4 – Should chargers be unplugged when not in use, and why?

Yes, chargers should be unplugged when not in use to reduce fire risks from overheating or damaged components, extend charger lifespan, and minimize standby energy use (though modern chargers draw less than a penny daily if not warm). Unplugging also protects against power surges.  

5 – How can I tell if I’m overloading a socket or extension lead?

Signs include warm/hot sockets or plugs, burning smells, sparks/smoke, tripped breakers/fuses, flickering lights, d iscolored outlets, or damaged cables. Check appliance ratings (total amps <13A for UK sockets) and avoid high-power devices on extensions.  

6 – Why is daisy-chaining extension leads considered dangerous?

Daisy-chaining extension leads is dangerous as it overloads circuits, causes voltage drops, overheating, and fire hazards by exceeding cable ratings (e.g., 13A fuse but reduced capacity over length). It violates safety standards and increases trip/fire risks.  

7 – What are the benefits of registering household appliances with manufacturers?

Benefits include receiving safety recalls/alerts, extended warranties, free repairs, product updates, and improved traceability for faults, potentially saving money and enhancing safety. Registration is quick and free.  

8 – What electrical safety responsibilities do landlords have under UK law?

Landlords must ensure electrical installations are inspected/tested every 5 years by qualified persons (EICR), provide safe appliances with PAT testing, install smoke/CO alarms, and fix issues within 28 days. Under the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020, failure risks fines up to £30,000.  

9 – How can colour blindness affect electrical safety when working with wiring colours? Colour blindness (e.g., red-green) can lead to misidentifying wires (brown live, blue neutral, green/yellow earth), causing shocks, fires, or faults. Use labels, testers, or alternative codes; some colour-blind individuals succeed with accommodations.  

10 – What training routes are available if someone wants to become a qualified electrician safely? Routes include apprenticeships (3–4 years, paid), full-time diplomas (C&G 2365 Level 2/3, 1–2 years), domestic installer courses (Part P, 5–10 days), and experienced worker assessments (EWA, 6–12 months for 3–5 years’ experience). Start with Level 2 for safety; include 18th Edition and AM2 for full qualification