Electrician's Tips For Carers

If you’re in charge of looking after someone vulnerable, then trips, falls and accidents are a constant worry, especially when you’re not there. If someone you care for also lives in a home that’s not really fit for purpose due to it being an older property, it may contain faulty appliances or electric goods that are not fit for use. It may not be a simple case of moving them out, because perhaps it’s just not feasible at this time, but there are things you can do. It’s hard to stay calm when in actual fact many vulnerable people are living in homes which are in a state of disrepair and who don’t have modern electrical installations, RCDs or decent wiring.

If you are the person you’re responsible for has Alzheimers or dementia then it’s especially worrying. However there are things you can do, such as checking the fuse boxes and making sure it’s in proper working order. If there are cast iron switches, and the fuse box is wooden then these are all things you need to act on. Hire a registered electrician who can check these things and replace them.

Any fuse box should have an RCD which is a Residual Current Device which will cut the power should there be a sudden surge or if one of the wires is faulty. 

Plugs and sockets should be checked regularly, and they’ll also need updating if they’re really old. Look out for braided flexes, exposed wiring, and also pin sockets which are round instead of square and keep an eye out for sockets mounted on skirting boards, something our parents or grandparents would have had. Any unusual sounds like crackling or a fizzing noise should be reported to a registered electrician immediately. 

Cables should always be in excellent working condition with no exposed wiring or any other signs of damage. Never allow cables to be led through under carpets or flooring as this can lead to trips and falls and avoid them trailing down anywhere, they should be stapled above ground where possible. 

Make sure they have a smoke alarm upstairs and downstairs that it’s in working order. The batteries should be checked regularly and should be changed annually. The Fire and Rescue Service offer free consultations of your home so give your local fire centre a call and arrange a visit if you don't have alarms and aren’t sure how many or where they should be distributed. 

There is a priority service register available from energy providers, and if you’re responsible for an elderly person then they are eligible to go on it. You can also get in touch with a registered electrician who can check all your fuses and wiring by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report or EICR as it is more formerly known. 

A PAT test is also useful and can help avoid nasty accidents by testing the efficiency and safety of all appliances. A registered technician can carry this out on your behalf. 

If you have any questions about what we’ve discussed get in touch and one of our friendly electrician team will be more than happy to discuss your needs.