With it widely reported that more and more Brits are spending the current lockdown period investing in home improvements, NICEIC is urging homeowners to steer clear of electrics – or risk potentially putting their homes and families in grave danger.

As millions of consumers across the country become accustomed to staying at home, a recent study¹ has found that three quarters (71%) are planning on dusting off the tools and taking the opportunity to indulge in some DIY.

However, NICEIC is keen to remind ‘have a go’ homeowners that dabbling in DIY as opposed to calling in a professional has been shown to come at a cost – particularly when it comes to electrics.

A previous study² by the leading electrical inspection authority found that asides from the standard home improvement work such as painting and decorating, a worrying 24% of Brits would happily have a go at dangerous electrical work without any prior experience. Worse still, a quarter (23%) admitted they had previously had to call in a professional to correct a botched job, leaving them an average of £1164.92 out of pocket.

Darren Staniforth, NICEIC’s Senior Technical Presenter, comments: “As homeowners adjust to the current lockdown, it is understandable that they might want to use the extra time at home getting to grips with those odd jobs that you might not otherwise have time to do. However, it’s important not to get too carried away and to know their limitations – there is a stark difference, after all, in adding a new lick of paint, or fixing furniture to dabbling with electrics.”

Each year around 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths are caused by unsafe electrics in the home. According to Electrical Safety First, the leading charity for electrical safety, almost half of all electric shocks described as severe are the result of a DIY error.

Darren adds: “For us, the message is simple – do not mess with electrics. Even if it appears to be a relatively simple, straightforward job, it’s important to remember that electrics can be deadly and simply must not be meddled with.

“At the current time it may be that homeowners are unable to seek a professional electrician, aside from incidences of essential work. However, in the interim period we would seriously encourage them to park any non-essential electrical work in order to keep their home and family safe during this unprecedented period.

You can search for a registered electrician in your area by visiting www.niceic.com