DIY enthusiasts urged to steer clear of electrical work this weekend

DIY season officially kicks off this Easter Bank Holiday weekend – and homeowners considering doing any jobs around the house are being warned to steer clear of the electrics.

Research by Which found that one fifth (20 per cent) of DIY-ers have had to call in a pro when things went awry, while insurance firm Towergate say the average botched job costs £3,200 to fix.

Each year around 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths are caused by unsafe electrics in the home. And 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.

The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) is advising keen renovators to call in the professionals before they get a shock – literally.

Darren Staniforth, NICEIC’s Technical Development Manager, said: “Easter is a great time for sprucing up the home and getting to grips with those odd jobs that you might not otherwise have time to do. However, it’s important for homeowners not to get too carried away and know their limitations – there is a stark difference, after all, in adding a new lick of paint, or fixing furniture to dabbling with electrics.

“While there may be a tendency to ‘have a go’ when it comes to other types of home improvement, electrical work is extremely complex and dangerous, and simply must not be meddled with.”

Search for a registered electrician in your area by visiting www.niceic.com.