AS the warm spell continues, most Brits are looking ahead to the sunny summer ahead.
However, if you're setting up your for the nice , there are some hazards you will want to avoid.
With highs of 20-degrees Celsius forecast in some areas this weekend, the experts at Hexo Electrical Testinghave urged homeowners to rethink some popular garden features.
They encouraged people to take vital precautions against an often overlooked seasonal risk, which is becoming more and more common: electrical hazards.
The warm weather sees many Brits host social gatherings outside, setting up barbeques, hot tubs, outdoor lighting, speaker systems, and other electrical equipment.
“Many garden setups in the UK rely heavily on extension leads, makeshift wiring, or outdated sockets,” says Dan Robson, Head of Operations at Hexo Electrical Testing.
“Summer socialising can quickly turn dangerous if electrics are properly installed or maintained.”
He warned that “the rise in outdoor electrical use during the spring and summer months can lead to an increase in avoidable incidents.”
Dan gave the examples of the less severe circuit overloads and power cuts, to more serious electric fires or electric shocks.
“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,” he said.
“One of the biggest red flags we see 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.
“The risk of crushed or weather-damaged cables, or being left near water, can lead to accidents.”
He explained that home insurance could be classed as invalid if unsafe electrics contribute to an incident.
According to the pro, electric barbeques, which are often placed near flammable materials and not properly grounded, can become quickly hazardous.
He also revealed that many outdoor lighting installations use non-waterproof fittings, or leave wires exposed to the elements.
This can create an electrocution risk in damp conditions.
Heaters, sound systems & projectors also prove to be hazardous when installed in gardens.
These increasingly popular additions to garden party setups require heavy-duty wiring and safe socket placement.
The combination of high power and constant water exposure required to run hot tubs and inflatable spas could lead to shock or a fire risk if proper wiring is not undertaken.
“Just because something is working, doesn’t necessarily guarantee it’s safe,”; the expert warned.
“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 telltale signs that trouble could be afoot.”
These signs include:
- 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
- Cables that have clearly been stored outside and exposed to the elements during the autumn / winter months
To minimise the risk of electrical garden faults, he suggested thinking of your garden as “an additional outdoor room”.
“One that requires weatherproofing for the unpredictable nature of the UK climate, as well as the correct cabling, and up-to-date and compliant safety certification,”; he said.
“Avoid using indoor extension leads outside, even temporarily; don’t overload extension leads and adaptors with multiple devices.
“And finally, make sure that cables aren’t run across grass, footpaths, or under garden rugs without added protection.”;
