The onset of fine weather has led to an alarm being raised for landlords to beware tenants inadvertently creating hazards.
Dan Robson of Hexo Electrical Testing says: “Many garden setups in the UK rely heavily on extension leads, makeshift wiring, or outdated sockets, and summer socialising can quickly turn dangerous if electrics are properly installed or maintained. The rise in outdoor electrical use during the Spring and Summer months can lead to an increase in avoidable incidents, from circuit overloads and power cuts, to more serious electric fires or electric shocks.
“It’s not typical to associate the garden with electrical risks, but the combination of poorly set-up electrics with water, the hot sun, and wear-and-tear of devices can turn a fun social gathering into a serious hazard.”
Robson suggests that one of the biggest ‘red flags’ is when those hosting garden events simply run an indoor extension cable through a window and overload it to power garden lights, heaters or even hot tubs/inflatable spas.
He adds: “The risk of crushed or weather-damaged cables, or being left near water, can lead to accidents. Many landlords may also be unaware that their insurance could be classed as invalid if unsafe electrics contribute to an incident that they later attempt to make a claim on.”
Amongst those items most associated with risks and sometimes injuries, are: Electric BBQs (often placed near flammable materials, and if not properly grounded, can become hazardous); Garden Lighting (many installations use non-waterproof fittings, or leave wires exposed to the elements which could be an electrocution risk in damp conditions); and Heaters, sound systems and projectors (these are increasingly popular additions to garden party setups, but require heavy-duty wiring and safe socket placement
He continues: “Just because something is working, doesn’t necessarily guarantee it’s safe,” warns Robson.
“Missed warning signs could lead to full circuit failures, fire or major property damage. Before your Summer garden socialising commences, be on the lookout for the following telltale signs that trouble could be afoot – Buzzing or warm plugs and cables;
Fuses tripping more frequently; Outdoor lights flickering or dimming when devices are powered up; Rust or cracked plastics around sockets ; and cables that have clearly been stored outside and exposed to the elements during the Autumn / Winter months.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today