Our MD Scott McLean discusses the campaign to regulate electricians.

Read his latest blog post.

Do you have plugs still in use like the old style plug to the left above on appliances perhaps such as standard lamps, older garden and household equipment - if so then these old style plugs place the end user at a higher risk of shock due to the non-insulating plug pins.

Notice the black insulating shields on the two pins of the new style plug top right  - the new plugs are designed like this so that when the plug is not fully inserted into the socket outlet then any part of the pins on view and exposed are insulated so metal cannot be touched reducing the electric shock risk. This safety feature is not on older plugs meaning a higher shock risk when not fully inserted into a socket outlet. 

Click for more safety info on plugs and extension leads.

Article from Which? magazine.

Article from Which? Magazine.

Following on from our last blog post by Westfarm Windows regarding DIY we are delighted to have another guest post this time by Sainsbury's Bank.

They have provided us with a 13 page guide with examples of how you can improve your home with suggestions from smart devices to loft conversations.

​Click the below link to download the PDF and start improving your home - thank you to Sainsbury's Bank for being part of our blog.

The dangers of DIY- know your safety precautions

DIY is great fun, not only does it allow you to unleash your creativity in your own home, but it also gives you a chance to save money on those home improvements too.

The only trouble with DIY, and it is often one thing that people forget, is that it can at times be dangerous, as the infographic below from Westfarm Windows shows. This is why it is vital that anyone who is going to be carrying out some form of DIY follows the correct safety precautions.

These vary from the simple, to those that relate to particular projects. To help you to stay safe, we have put together some of the most important safety precautions for you to take.

General precautions for any form of DIY
When carrying out DIY you will need to wear suitable clothing. This means that you should avoid loose fitting clothes, and never wear any jewellery that could pose a risk of getting caught.

The place that you are working in should be clean, well-organised and well-ventilated if you are working side. Especially if you are working with anything that is going to cause dust, or lets off any fumes.

You should always take your time and never rush through. Concentrate on the task that you have in hand and try not to get distracted with other things that are going on.

Just in case, you should have a well-stocked first aid kit nearby, and always try to have someone else around when you are undertaking any DIY project that could cause an injury.

Use the right safety equipment and tools
It is vital that you always wear the right safety gear when taking on any DIY project. This includes a dust mask, goggles and gloves. However, you may also need to cover your clothes with overalls to keep everything clean and tucked away.

If you are using tools for the DIY project then you will need to have all the right tools for the job, not only this but you will need to be familiar with the tools to. If they are electrical then you should always turn them off and unplug them when they are not in use. Drills in particular should always be off when changing the parts, and take care to remove the chuck key before you turn the drill back on.

Tools should always be kept in good working order. You may not know that sharp blades are actually safer than those that are blunt.

DIY, when carried out safely and with the right tools can be incredibly worthwhile. The satisfaction that you can feel after completing a project yourself is well worth the hard work that you will have put in.
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Just remember, when carrying out any type of DIY work, it is vital that you keep yourself safe and try to avoid any injury that you are at risk from. 

Westfarm Windows