As the weather gets colder and days shorter, the use of electricity for light, warmth and entertainment inevitably increases. Electrical safety can seem like common sense, but it is surprising how many of us fail to follow basic safety guidelines. This is why the Electrical Safety Council, has put together the following safety advice to offer householders some guidance as the winter months approach:

• Regularly check the condition of plugs, sockets and flexes. If these are damaged or worn get them repaired or replaced, otherwise they can cause electric shock, burns and fire. One way damage can occur is by carelessly removing plugs. Make sure you don't pull them out by the cable, this is a common problem and can result in overheating of the plug, wires becoming loose or cause an electric shock to the user if the earth wire becomes disconnected. Another way cables can become damaged is by trailing them under rugs or furniture causing wear and tear on the insulation.
• Try to get into a routine of switching off gadgets and appliances, such as TVs and computers, before going out or going to bed. This will avoid the possibility of fire and help save money on electricity bills.
• Increased use of high-rated appliances, such as irons and kettles can also put a strain on the electrical system, so the Electrical Safety Council advises not to overload sockets by plugging too many into adaptor plugs. It is much better to have additional sockets installed by a registered electrician.

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