71% of people wouldn’t prioritise unplugging electrical appliances and almost 1 in 3 wouldn’t prioritise electrical inspection after a flood.
NICEIC Media Team | Communications
A new survey of 2,000 homeowners and renters across the UK by NICEIC, the UK’s leading certification body for the electrical industry, reveals knowledge gaps in home electrical safety during (and after) a flood, and sheds light on the actions people are most likely to prioritise after a warning is issued.
Extreme rainfall and flooding events are becoming more common across the UK. In England, it’s estimated around 6.3 million properties are in areas at risk of flooding. A further 284,000 are at risk in Scotland, as well as over 272,000 in Wales and 45,000 in Northern Ireland.
Flooding poses a risk to life and property – but how many people consider their electrical safety first?
When asked what actions they would take first if it was safe to do so, 71% would not prioritise unplugging electrical appliances. And 51% would not prioritise turning off their home’s electricity supply.
The public is most likely to act to save their sentimental items from floodwater, with half of respondents saying they would do this as a priority action. Older people are more likely to prioritise sentimentality over safety when their home is in danger of flooding: 57% of 45–54-year-olds would do so, compared with 40% of 16-24-year-olds.
The survey also highlights a lack of awareness around simple actions that can protect electrical installations in a flood. For example, 20% of people are unsure whether it is safe to leave their home’s electricity supply on during light flooding, while one in seven believe it is safe to do so. This rises to one in five for those aged 25-34-years-old.
Water is a conductor of electricity and can cause significant damage to your home’s electrics and appliances if the power is left on. In some cases, this may lead to costly repairs or even to you having to fully replace your electrical wiring and equipment.
Anyone who encounters water that is unknowingly in contact with an electrical source could experience a severe or life-threatening electric shock.
Furthermore, 21% of those surveyed also wrongly believe it is safe to use sockets upstairs if the flood water hasn’t reached the first floor. This is particularly concerning given that a home’s electrical system is interconnected, and if water has entered sockets downstairs, it can compromise the entire system and render it unsafe.
Respondents were also asked several true or false questions, testing their knowledge about a range of flood and post-flood scenarios:
“As the risk of flooding in the UK increases, it is vital that the public have the knowledge and information they need about what to do when it comes to electrical safety.
“No matter the extent of a flood, if there is water ingress into your home of any kind, the associated electrical dangers can be significant and life threatening.
“If flooding is imminent, the first step to protect yourself and your home is to turn off the main switch on your consumer unit/fuse board to safely isolate the power supply. Remove all plugs from sockets and take portable appliances to higher ground or remove them from the home entirely if it is safe to do so.
“Incidents of flooding often leave very little time to prepare. It is imperative that anyone affected takes the advice issued by the relevant local authority. If there is only time to turn off the consumer unit, and if it is safe to do so, this can be done before leaving.
“Once all flood water has receded and your home has been cleared for entry, do not attempt to clean up, use electrical appliances or carry out DIY electrical repairs. Remember, some damage to electrical systems and appliances damage cannot be seen. So even if you think your home is safe, make sure you get a NICEIC-registered electrician to assess the damage, to give you peace of mind that your home is safe to enter.
“Once damage to the home has been assessed, ensure an electrical installation condition report (EICR) is issued to inform the repairs needed. This is not the time for DIY and any electrical repairs should always be carried out by an NICEIC-registered electrician – not yourself.”
To find a NICEIC-registered electrician near you, visit: niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson/
Extreme rainfall and flooding events are becoming more common across the UK. In England, it’s estimated around 6.3 million properties are in areas at risk of flooding. A further 284,000 are at risk in Scotland, as well as over 272,000 in Wales and 45,000 in Northern Ireland.
Flooding poses a risk to life and property – but how many people consider their electrical safety first?
When asked what actions they would take first if it was safe to do so, 71% would not prioritise unplugging electrical appliances. And 51% would not prioritise turning off their home’s electricity supply.
The public is most likely to act to save their sentimental items from floodwater, with half of respondents saying they would do this as a priority action. Older people are more likely to prioritise sentimentality over safety when their home is in danger of flooding: 57% of 45–54-year-olds would do so, compared with 40% of 16-24-year-olds.
The survey also highlights a lack of awareness around simple actions that can protect electrical installations in a flood. For example, 20% of people are unsure whether it is safe to leave their home’s electricity supply on during light flooding, while one in seven believe it is safe to do so. This rises to one in five for those aged 25-34-years-old.
Water is a conductor of electricity and can cause significant damage to your home’s electrics and appliances if the power is left on. In some cases, this may lead to costly repairs or even to you having to fully replace your electrical wiring and equipment.
Anyone who encounters water that is unknowingly in contact with an electrical source could experience a severe or life-threatening electric shock.
Furthermore, 21% of those surveyed also wrongly believe it is safe to use sockets upstairs if the flood water hasn’t reached the first floor. This is particularly concerning given that a home’s electrical system is interconnected, and if water has entered sockets downstairs, it can compromise the entire system and render it unsafe.
Respondents were also asked several true or false questions, testing their knowledge about a range of flood and post-flood scenarios:
- 40% of people believe rubber-soled shoes can provide protection against electrification in light flooding. There is no safe way to navigate through flood waters in a home with live electrical supply still on.
- Nearly a third of people are either unsure or believe it is OK to begin using appliances again immediately after flood water has receded. Using any electrical equipment before it has been properly checked can result in electric shock, fire, or further damage.
- Almost 25% are either unsure or don’t think it is necessary to have electrical items tested by a registered electrician, no matter the extent of the flood. Not all damage can be seen, so the safest thing to do is to have all electrical items checked before using them again.
“As the risk of flooding in the UK increases, it is vital that the public have the knowledge and information they need about what to do when it comes to electrical safety.
“No matter the extent of a flood, if there is water ingress into your home of any kind, the associated electrical dangers can be significant and life threatening.
“If flooding is imminent, the first step to protect yourself and your home is to turn off the main switch on your consumer unit/fuse board to safely isolate the power supply. Remove all plugs from sockets and take portable appliances to higher ground or remove them from the home entirely if it is safe to do so.
“Incidents of flooding often leave very little time to prepare. It is imperative that anyone affected takes the advice issued by the relevant local authority. If there is only time to turn off the consumer unit, and if it is safe to do so, this can be done before leaving.
“Once all flood water has receded and your home has been cleared for entry, do not attempt to clean up, use electrical appliances or carry out DIY electrical repairs. Remember, some damage to electrical systems and appliances damage cannot be seen. So even if you think your home is safe, make sure you get a NICEIC-registered electrician to assess the damage, to give you peace of mind that your home is safe to enter.
“Once damage to the home has been assessed, ensure an electrical installation condition report (EICR) is issued to inform the repairs needed. This is not the time for DIY and any electrical repairs should always be carried out by an NICEIC-registered electrician – not yourself.”
To find a NICEIC-registered electrician near you, visit: niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson/
