Winter Electrical Safety in London Homes: Heaters, Lights and Damp

Winter puts more strain on home electrics than any other time of year. Heaters, tumble dryers, longer lighting hours and festive decorations all add load, while rain and damp find their way into outdoor fittings. A few simple checks in autumn can prevent trips, faults and fires over the colder months.

Portable heaters

• Plug heaters straight into a wall socket, never into an extension lead or adaptor.
• Keep them away from curtains, bedding and furniture, and never cover them.
• Choose heaters with tip-over and overheat protection.
• If you rely on portable heaters every day, a fixed heater on its own circuit may be safer.

Tumble dryers and washing machines

Dryers work harder in winter. Clean the lint filter after every load, do not run them overnight or while you are out, and plug them into a wall socket. Appliances that heat up, trip the RCD or smell of burning should be checked or replaced.

Festive lights and decorations

• Check lights for damaged cables or cracked bulbs before putting them up.
• Use outdoor-rated lights and connectors outside, plugged into an RCD protected socket.
• Switch decorations off at night and when you go out.
• Do not overload a single socket with several sets of lights and a heater.

Damp, storms and outdoor fittings

Water getting into outdoor lights, sockets and junction boxes is one of the most common reasons RCDs trip in winter. If your power trips after heavy rain, the fault is often outside. Our guides to outdoor and security lighting and what to check when the power goes can help.

Storage heaters and electric heating

If your flat has storage heaters, check that they charge properly overnight and that the controls work before the cold sets in. Our guide to electric storage heaters covers what an EICR looks for.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Winter is when boilers, fires and heaters are used most. Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, and replace any past their expiry date. If you have older relatives, our guide to electrical safety for older relatives has a simple checklist.

Book a check before winter

Energy North Ltd covers North, East and West London with City & Guilds certified electricians, and can usually attend within 48 hours. EICRs start from £100. See our EICR service.