A recent study from the NICEIC, the leading UK regulatory body for the electrical industry, shows that 74% of the population are unaware that electrical work done in the home is subject to law under Part P of the Building Regulations. Despite the fact that over 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths every year are caused by unsafe electrical repairs, a massive 63% of householders are still willing to undertake such work themselves, without having the necessary skills to do so. Checkatrade, the household name to find a vetted and monitored trade, is backing the NICEIC “Don’t Take The P Out of Your Home” campaign, highlighting the requirements of Part P of the Building Regulations to householders.

So, why are we still willing to undertake electrical tasks which are potentially so dangerous? Statistics show that two out of ten people (22%) are unaware of the requirements of the law, which has been in effect in England and Wales since 2005. If you are thinking of tackling any electrical work in your home, we advise you visit
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADP_2006.pdf  for very clear guidelines on what you can or cannot undertake yourself.

While for some people it may still be tempting to undertake the work themselves, Checkatrade suggests that you stop and think very seriously about the risks. Getting a qualified electrician will not only give that all important electrical safety certificate that you will need, but will also give peace of mind that the job has been done correctly, ensuring the safety of you and your family. At www.checkatrade.com, we will not allow anybody to advertise as an electrical engineer unless they have the necessary Part P qualification and belong to one of the five bodies that regulate the industry.

The laws and regulations were introduced to protect us, so pass the responsibility over to the trained professionals and keep your self safe.