Two children playing with electricity on floor at home

School is officially out for summer so it’s that time of year when we all look forward to jet setting off to a hot destination for some well deserved chill out time with friends or family. Even though your escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, electrical safety is something you need to stay very much on the ball with even whilst abroad. Some countries do not have the same safety regulations as we do in the UK so some vital checks should really be part of your holiday routine to keep you safe.

A a few vital checks when travelling abroad and how to keep safe when it comes to electrical appliances. Check out advice from Electrical Safety First’s website who have some helpful information for travellers.

Your hotel room – check that:

•there are no bare wires that can be touched where electrical accessories have been removed or damaged

•sockets and light switches are not damaged or have their covers missing

•light bulbs are properly inserted into all light fittings and are not broken or cracked

•there are no trailing extension leads or overloaded sockets and never ignore the warning signs of burning smells, sounds of arcing (buzzing and crackling), fuses blowing or scorch marks on plugs and sockets

Bathrooms – check that:

•electrical accessories cannot be touched whilst in the bath or shower

By the pool – check that:

•electrical appliances are kept away from the water

On camp sites – check that:

•there is Residual Current Device (RCD) protection or a similar device that will cut off the supply if there is an electrical problem

•flexible cables are positioned appropriately to prevent them being damaged

•electrical appliances are stored in a dry place

Keeping yourself & your family safe is not difficult if you follow a few simple rules:

1.Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands.

2.Never touch light switches if they are cracked or show signs of damage.

3.Never plug equipment into a socket which looks damaged/cracked or has part or all of the cover missing.

4.Never use mains powered electrical appliances in a bathroom.

5.Always check that cables are securely attached to electrical equipment and are not cut, nicked or damaged in anyway. There should be no joints in the cable and certainly no repairs with insulating tape. Cables should also be checked for signs of overheating, such as discoloration.

6.Always check that the travel adaptor you are using is the correct type for the country in which you are travelling and never force it into a socket if it does not easily fit.

Wherever you are on holiday, no-one should have to compromise their safety so always report any electrical dangers to the person responsible. This could be your hotel rep, tour operator or the hotel manager. If the danger is not removed immediately, insist on being moved.

These types of checks will put your mind at rest so you can really enjoy your break. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!

Majority of us are aware of the benefits of installing solar panels on our home. Once you get past the initial installation costs, solar panels reduce your energy bills and help the planet! However, what if solar panels were a possible cause of a house fire?

We recently came across a Facebook post in which a families house had set on a fire. The lady responsible for the post gave us permission to share her story. Thankfully nobody was hurt, however their house has suffered serious damage and also many family memories have now been lost and destroyed. Furthermore, the forensics team believe it was their solar panels which caused the house fire. This emphasises the importance of regularly servicing and checking your solar panels.

The Facebook poster praised the fact that her Electrician had put a hard wired smoke alarm system in her loft. Once the smoke alarm in their loft detected smoke, it triggered all the other smoke alarms around their house to sound. Immediately alerting the family of a potential fire. At Fulcher Edwards Ltd, every Tuesday we preach the importance of testing your smoke alarm/fire alarm system. Test it Tuesday is a helpful reminder to carry out weekly tests, as alarms can only save lives if they’re working! At home you could get the kids involved by making them your Test It Tuesday Champion. In the office you should have a ‘responsible person’ who carries out weekly tests on the alarm system.

Finally, the Facebook poster also expressed the importance of sufficient home insurance. They also recommend making the whole family aware of the fire alarm system and what to do in the event of a fire.

Please contact us HERE if you would like to find out more about installing a smoke alarm.

With the uncertainty of Brexit on the horizon, property market jitters are becoming apparent with more and more people hesitant to put their house on the market. For those brave individuals who are not letting Brexit halt their moving plans, what percentage are going to ask an Electrician to carry out a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey on a property before making an offer?

What is a Pre-Purchase Electrical Survey?

A pre-purchase electrical survey highlights the condition of the electrical wiring of a property. It also checks the safety of the electrical installation and that it adheres to British Standards. Now I know moving is an expensive time as it is, with Solicitors and Estate Agent fees, Building Surveys, and then you have all the other costs involved with moving house. Therefore, you’re probably thinking that a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey is an expense you could do without. However the benefit of having one is you know the exact condition of the property before committing yourself financially. Imagine a few months into your new home and an electrical fault occurs. You then find out that the wiring of the property is in a terrible condition and it will cost a lot of money to correct the issue!

Do I really need to have a pre-purchase electrical survey carried out?

In my personal experience, I found a pre-purchase electrical survey to be highly beneficial when moving house. The survey brought to our attention that some areas of the electrics in the house needed modernisation. For example, our kitchen, lounge and dining room power all fed off of one circuit. Now the demands of kitchens these days what with a washing machine, fridge freezer, tumble dryer, and endless amounts of other kitchen appliances we had, it was heading for a fuse overload unless we changed the current electrical set up. The two viewings we had would not have made us aware of this, as everything looked fine on the surface. Even though this problem was something that could be easily rectified, the survey helped to highlight the problem to us and made us aware of the costs before deciding on the property.

The things that showed up from us having a Building and a Pre-purchase Electrical Survey did not put us off buying this particular house, the point is we went into this house knowing what to expect and what costs were involved going forward. The survey gave us the opportunity to get a better insight into the electrical condition of our future home and therefore a decision was based on if we wanted and could afford the property or not from the findings. Alternatively, you can have a Visual Electrical Inspection carried out. This will give you reasonable insight into the condition of the electrical system in a property. The report will highlight anything that may need replacing in the future.

Whenever a customer calls us at Fulcher Edwards to find out if they should have a electrical survey on a property they are interested in. We always advise them to have one or a visual inspection as it provides you with useful information before making that offer. Its important to remember that just because something is working, it doesn’t necessarily mean there are no underlining problems and it is operating safely.

If you are considering looking for a new home anytime soon then don’t forget to budget for an Pre-purchase Electrical Survey as it could save you money in the long run. Just make sure that the electrician you use is registered with a Government-approved organisations like NICEIC, as registered Electricians will work to current British Standards.

Contact us HERE if you would like to find out more about a pre-purchase electrical survey.

Claire Fulcher-Powell

Fulcher Edwards Ltd prides itself on being a family business. Our director Michael Fulcher, operates the company alongside his wife and 2 daughters. His eldest daughter, Claire Fulcher-Powell celebrated her 10 years of service with the company on the 1st June! Therefore, in celebration of Claire’s long service with Fulcher Edwards Ltd we thought we would ask Claire a few questions about her time in the company:

Amy: ‘Congratulations on working at Fulcher Edwards for 10 years! What does your role entail?
Claire: ‘Thank you! I am the Operations Manager for the company. Therefore, I am in charge of booking in works, client liaison, ordering materials, and office management. However I am also responsible for all aspects of HR, Health and Safety, and audit management. Its a busy role for sure!’

Amy: ‘Wow it sounds it! What would you say the biggest challenge is of working for the family business?’
Claire: ‘One of the biggest challenge is trying to keep a healthy balance between family and work life. Its important to not always talk about work when spending time as a family! Also, there are higher expectations of you. I also find it difficult not to get emotionally involved with the company. As a family business, you have a personal attachment to it and therefore its hard not to take it personally if things go wrong which are sometimes out of your control.’

Amy: ‘That’s completely understandable. What would you say your greatest achievement has been in the last 10 years?’
Claire: ‘Due to the economic climate, there has been a lot of difficult changes which have happened over the past 10 years. We have lost big clients due to a change in their circumstances, which then massively impacted us! I’m proud to say though that we have always managed to pull through and keep the company running. Also, when I first joined the company I very much created the marketing role. I got Fulcher Edwards onto social media and started looking at ways to further advertise the business. We also got featured in a couple of magazine articles which I was pretty proud of!’

Amy: ‘Yes that is certainly something to be proud of! What is your favourite aspect of your role?’
Claire: ‘Most definitely winning a job and getting new clients! Also receiving positive feedback is really great. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.’

Amy: ‘Okay great. Finally, what’s next for Fulcher Edwards?’
Claire: ‘We’re not 100% sure what lies ahead at the moment, especially with Brexit on the horizon. We have already noticed a slight decline in work due to people being cautious with their money. For this year, I think we have to just batten down the hatches and see what the outcome of Brexit is. I would also like to keep slowly growing the business and gaining more clients in the Hertfordshire area.’

For all your electrical needs, please do not hesitate to contact us HERE.

Electrical apprenticeship in London, Herfordshire and St Albans

Research conducted by the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) shows that only 8% of school leavers are being advised to seek apprenticeships! Due to this, employers feel that schools are not preparing students with the correct skill set to pursue an electrotechnical/engineering career.

At Fulcher Edwards Ltd we fully support apprenticeships and have hired a number of apprentices throughout our 38 years of service. Our Managing Director completed a City & Guilds apprenticeship back in 1975 and has been the owner of his own company since 1981. Therefore, it goes to show how far an apprenticeship can take you! Unfortunately, apprenticeships are often perceived as the ‘easy’ and ‘low-paying’ career route.

According to the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) over half of employers said that apprentices often had unsatisfactory attitudes, a lack of knowledge, and qualifications. Employers also expressed concerns that schools are not teaching students basic electrical principles within their physics lessons. Furthermore, this lack of electrical theory and knowledge could be discouraging students to pursue a career within the electrical field.

School leavers also appear to be lacking in basic maths skills, oral and written English communication, and having a decent work ethic. Therefore they show a lack of respect to employers through poor timekeeping.

The ECA and TESP are aiming to encourage students into the electrotechnical sector by launching a series of programmes. This will include enhancing the electrical careers website, promoting work experience opportunities, and encouraging industry experts to become part-time lecturers. They aim to close the gap between education and the electrical industry through engagement with employers and local schools.

There is a lack of good candidates applying to train within the sector, therefore its important to start eliminating this stigma surrounding apprenticeships. University is not the route for everyone, and working as an electrician can be a rewarding, fulfilling, and well-paying career. Furthermore, apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to gain work experience, recognised qualifications, and even more importantly to earn some money!

What are your thoughts on apprenticeships? Do you think electrotechnical should be recognised as an academic subject?

If you require any electrical assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us HERE.

Electrical mistakes can happen easily and it’s every day mistakes that quickly land homeowners in deep water.

According to recent research, more than 80 million accidents happen in British homes each year causing injury or property damage due to unnecessarily risky behaviour.

Simple Electrical Mistakes That Endanger The Lives Of Homeowners

As electricians in Hertfordshire we come across these problems on an almost daily basis in peoples homes. If you are making any of these mistakes you are putting yourself at risk of electrical danger. Take a look at the list below to see what mistakes you could be making in your home. Any of these things could quickly land you in deep water and put you at serious risk of electric shock or injury:

1. Drying clothes on an electrical heater
2. Repairing an appliance while it is still plugged in
3. Leaving a hair straightener on unattended
4. Taking batteries out of smoke alarms to silence them
5. Drilling through wires in the wall to hang pictures
6. Trailing cables under a rug or carpet to keep them out of the way
7. Trying to dry objects that aren’t food in the microwave
8. Overloading electrical sockets and adapters
9. Using damaged electrical sockets that have burn marks on them
10. Using unregistered tradesmen

For further electrical safety advice within the home, check out one of our recent blog posts HERE.

Please do not hesitate to contact us HERE for all your electrical needs or for further electrical advice.

This week is mental health awareness week. Mental health is a subject particularly close to my heart, and everyone can suffer with mental health issues. Generating more awareness of mental health helps eliminate the stigma which constantly surrounds it.

The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) provide support and advice to those who work in the electrical industry. On their website they have a mental health calendar where they focus on key tops which could affect your mental health. They also offer mental health awareness training, and mental health first aider training. According to the EIC, 1 in 4 people are now diagnosed with a mental health disorder. There is also alarming rates of attempted suicide.

Signs and Symptoms

Early intervention is extremely important when diagnosing a mental health disorder. The EIC recommend you be aware of the following signs and symptoms:

• Exhausted and tearful
• Frequent headaches and stomach upsets
• Change in sociability
• Less confident and disinterested in life
• Poor performance or time-keeping at work
• Moody or uncommunicative at work

This is only to name a few, and signs and symptoms can vary depending on the individual and disorder. You can find out more HERE.

Improving Your Mental Wellbeing

1. Relax – Life can be hectic, however amongst the chaos its important to take some time out for yourself. Whether that be going for a walk, reading a book, or catching up on your favourite TV programme, its important to switch off sometimes. Meditation is also supposed to be very beneficial for your mental health. Apps such as Headspace and Calm are highly recommended when beginning meditation.
2. Exercise – Being active is hugely beneficial to your overall wellbeing. The release of endorphins helps improve your mood, and also decreases stress levels. Not all of us enjoy exercising, however it can be as simple as going for a walk or a bike ride. I personally find that getting fresh air really helps clear my mind. With exercise classes such as Zumba, Clubbercise, and BOUNCE, exercise can be a lot of fun! Need exercise which is low impact on your joints? Try swimming, yoga, or walking.
3. Healthy Lifestyle – Your overall lifestyle contributes to your mental health. Having a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and exercising can all have a positive impact. However we all have the odd late night, drink to much alcohol, or overindulge in chocolate and takeaways. This is nothing to feel guilty about, life is all about balance at the end of the day!
4. Socialise – Socialising with friends and family is extremely important. One of the biggest causes of depression is loneliness. Therefore do make time for others in your life, as talking alone can be really beneficial when you are feeling upset or anxious. If you are feeling lonely and have nobody you can confide in, Mind have helplines you can get in contact with. They can also suggest local groups where you could meet new people.  A pet can also be a great companion.
5. Hobbies – Starting a new hobby or learning a new skill can be perfect at taking your mind off things. Hobbies help you focus on the task ahead, and you get the satisfaction of learning something new or creating something from scratch.

Getting Help

We are by no means mental health professionals, however we know how difficult life can be at times. If you’re struggling then make sure to confide in a friend, family member, or even a work colleague. It is also important to seek help from a health care professional. Your doctor can provide you with advice, and also offer counselling or medication if required. Mental health is alarmingly common and there really is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.

If you or someone you love is suffering with a mental health disorder, Mind list several helplines HERE where you can gain support and advice for various issues.

At Fulcher Edwards Ltd, electricians in St Albans, we always encourage good mental health and like to eliminate any pressure from our clients. If we can provide any electrical support or advice then please do not hesitate to contact us HERE.

We spend majority of our free time at home, and our homes lighting can have more of an impact than you think on our emotional and physical wellbeing. Therefore its important your homes aesthetics and lighting are to your taste. Below we provide lighting design advice for the different rooms in your home.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and good lighting is vital for food preparation.  Depending on the layout of your kitchen, under-cabinet lights are ideal for lighting up your worktops when preparing food. A beautiful chandelier or swanky pendant lighting works well over an island or kitchen table. LED spotlights can provide even lighting to other areas within your kitchen. Alternatively, LED strip or rope lighting can create a more modern design. Cool white lighting creates a crisp and modern ambience, which is ideal for social and stimulating environments such as the kitchen.

The Living Room

The living room is often the cosiest room within the house and therefore its important for the lighting to create a relaxing ambience. Wall lights, floor lamps, table lamps, and spotlights all work well within the living room. Directional spotlights are perfect for focussing in on photos or art work which you may have hanging on the wall. Floor lamps are ideal for lighting up reading chairs. We always recommend having lighting on a dimmer, then you can adjust as required. If you would like a more modern feel to the standard dimmer switch, you could have a lighting control panel installed instead. Warm white lights produce a yellow glow which creates a relaxing and cosy atmosphere.

The Bedroom

Similarly to the living room, we want our bedrooms to evoke feelings of relaxation, especially before bedtime. Therefore dimmers should definitely be a consideration. You can have your lights turned up brightly when getting ready in the evening, and dimmed when winding down for bed. Bedside table lamps and wall lights are perfect around your bed as reading lights. We recommend having spotlights above your wardrobes in order to effectively light up your clothes when choosing an outfit. If you have a large bedroom, a chandelier or pendant light in the centre of the room can be a nice feature. Once again, warm white lights are ideal for this type of environment.

The Bathroom

Neutral white lighting is ideal for brightening up your bathroom. Spotlights work well to provide even lighting throughout the bathroom. Vanity lighting over a bathroom sink and mirror could also provide a nice feature. Make sure your shower is well lit with recessed lighting overhead. Larger bathrooms could benefit from having a small chanderlier or pendant light, especially over the bathtub. If you have an en-suite bathroom, make sure the lighting coordinates well with the bedroom lighting.

Hallway/Staircase

We all admire those houses with a grand staircase and large chandelier hanging overhead. If your house is large enough then a chandelier can be a great feature. However if chandeliers aren’t your style or your house is of a smaller size, stair wall lights can provide a modern and stylish feel. Furthermore, you can continue the stair wall lights throughout your upstairs hallway. Ceiling spotlights and wall lights are perfect in hallways for evenly lighting up the path. If you have furniture within your hallways, then you could utilise these by putting table lamps on top. If you have a variety of different lighting you can then adjust to the type of ambience you would like. Neutral white lighting also works well within the hallway and staircase.

We don’t class ourselves as interior designers, however we do happen to know a thing or two about lighting! One of our friendly electricians would be more than happy to provide lighting design ideas and tips for your property during a site visit. LED lamps are the ‘fashion’ nowadays, they’re also energy efficient, last longer, and are cheaper to maintain. As mentioned above, we also recommend dimmer switches or panels as its provides you with flexibility for your lighting.

Please do not hesitate to contact us HERE if you would like us to assist you with the lighting design in your property.

Interested in lighting up your garden? Take a read of one of our previous blog posts HERE where we provide advice on garden lighting design.