Guide
Is your home electrically safe?
Most electrical problems give you warning signs before they become dangerous. Here's a quick checklist you can walk through yourself — no tools needed, no electrician required. Just your eyes and five minutes.
The 5-minute safety walk
Grab a cuppa and walk through your house with me. Check each of these:
1. Your consumer unit (fuse box)
Find your fuse box. Does it have modern switches (MCBs), or old rewireable fuses with wire in them? Is it on a wooden board? Does it feel warm? Are there any burn marks or discolouration? If you answered yes to any of those, it may need upgrading. Read more about fuse box upgrades →
2. Your sockets
Look at the sockets around your home. Are any cracked, discoloured, or warm to the touch? Do any spark when you plug something in? Are you relying heavily on extension leads because there aren't enough sockets? That's like trying to pour five kettles through one funnel — the wiring can only carry so much before something gives. Old round-pin sockets are a sign of very outdated wiring.
3. Your light switches and fittings
Do any lights flicker? Do switches feel loose, warm, or make a buzzing sound? Is there any discolouration around light fittings on the ceiling? Flickering in one bulb is usually just the bulb. Flickering across multiple rooms suggests a wiring issue.
4. Your cables
Can you see any cables that are damaged, frayed, or running under rugs or furniture? Are there cables held together with tape? In the loft, can you see rubber or fabric-covered wiring (rather than modern white PVC)? Damaged cables and old insulation are genuine fire risks.
5. Your RCD protection
Go back to your consumer unit. Is there a button labelled "Test" or "T" on any of the switches? That's your RCD — it's the overprotective new parent of your electrical system. While old fuse boxes would let problems slide, an RCD reacts in milliseconds at the slightest fault to stop you getting a shock. Press the test button — it should trip immediately and cut the power to part of your home. If it doesn't trip, or if you don't have one at all, you're missing a critical safety device. Reset it by flipping the switch back up.
6. Smell and sound
Can you smell anything unusual near sockets, switches, or the consumer unit? A burning or fishy smell near electrics is a warning sign. Can you hear buzzing or crackling from light fittings or switches? These sounds suggest loose connections or arcing — both of which need professional attention.
How did you score?
All clear?
Great. Your electrics are probably in reasonable shape. For full peace of mind, an EICR will confirm it officially — recommended every 10 years for homeowners.
A few concerns?
Don't panic, but do get them looked at. Most issues are fixable without a full rewire. An EICR is the best starting point — it'll give you a full picture and a clear plan.
Burning smells, sparks, or warm sockets?
Stop using the affected sockets or switches immediately. If you can safely do it, turn off the circuit at the consumer unit. Call an electrician — this is the kind of thing that shouldn't wait.
Common electrical dangers most people miss
Some of the most dangerous electrical issues are the ones you can't see. Here are a few that catch people out regularly:
Overloaded extension leads
Every extension lead has a maximum load rating — usually 13 amps or 3,120 watts. Plug a heater, a kettle, and a toaster into one and you're asking for trouble. A good rule of thumb: if the extension lead feels warm to the touch, unplug something immediately.
DIY electrical work
Previous owners sometimes do their own wiring to save money. If you've moved into a property and notice unusual wiring colours, junction boxes in odd places, or circuits that behave unpredictably, get it checked. Poorly done DIY electrics are one of the most common problems I find during EICRs.
Outdated bathroom wiring
Bathrooms have specific regulations because water and electricity don't mix. If your bathroom has standard sockets (not shaver-only), pull-cord switches that spark, or lights without proper IP ratings, these need attention. The regulations around bathrooms have changed significantly over the years.
Old properties with mixed-era wiring
In York especially, many properties have been extended or modified over decades. This means you might have modern wiring in one room and 1960s rubber-sheathed cable in another. The old cable still works, but the insulation degrades over time and can become a fire risk.
The cost of ignoring electrical problems
Most electrical issues don't fix themselves — they get worse. A slightly warm socket becomes a melted socket. A flickering light becomes a failed circuit. And in the worst cases, faulty electrics cause house fires. According to government statistics, electrical faults are one of the leading causes of accidental house fires in the UK.
The cost of fixing a minor fault early is almost always a fraction of the cost of dealing with the consequences of ignoring it. An EICR every 10 years (or 5 if you're a landlord) is the simplest way to catch problems before they become dangerous.
If any of the checks on this page raised concerns, don't put it off. Get in touch and I'll take a look — there's no charge for an honest conversation about whether you need work done.
When should you get a professional check?
Beyond the walk-through above, here are the key moments to get an electrician in:
Every 10 years — for a full EICR if you're a homeowner
Maximum every 5 years — legally required if you're a landlord (can be sooner if issues are found)
When buying a property — before you exchange, not after
After a flood or major leak — water and electrics don't mix
After major building work — extensions, loft conversions, or kitchen refits can affect the electrical installation
If anything from the checklist above concerned you — even if you're not sure, a quick look from a qualified electrician is always worth it
Something not quite right?
Even if you're not sure — drop me a message. I'd rather you asked and it turned out to be nothing than ignored something that mattered.