Garden Electrical Safety
With so many of us extending our homes beyond four walls and embracing the outdoors, it’s vital to ensure cables and sockets are installed safely, securely and are well maintained – here’s what to think about.
Outdoor sockets
Whether you need to plug in your lawn mower, stereo or power washer, garden sockets are convenient for so many uses.
Installed correctly, outdoor sockets also increase flexibility so you don’t end up using extension leads plugged indoors leaving a lengthy trail of cable.
If you’ve already got outdoor sockets, it’s a good idea to regularly check casing to make sure there are no cracks that could lead to leaks. You should also ensure sockets are […]
Smart Home Control
Being able to control what goes on in your home while you’re miles away might sound like something out of a science-fiction film, but smart home appliances like Nest are making it a 21st century reality – here’s how it works.
What is smart home control?
It’s simply a way of managing aspects of your home using devices connected to the internet.
You can hook up as many elements as technology allows which ultimately means you could you control features like temperature, lighting, hot water and even music systems.
Devices can be controlled with an app on your smartphone or tablet. Or, if you’ve got an entire network of devices (known […]
PAT Testing
PAT testing can prove vital in keeping staff and customers safe. But what exactly does it entail, what are your legal obligations and how often should it be done?
What is PAT testing?
PAT stands for ‘portable appliance testing’. It refers to the checks carried out on electrical appliances to make sure they’re safe.
While many of us will be able to spot possible electrical dangers – frayed wires, loose plugs, exposed wires – some faults can only be found through testing.
Are PAT inspections a legal requirement?
PAT is not a legal requirement but if you’re an employer or run a business, you do have a legal duty to […]
Old Light Bulbs vs New Light Bulbs
In 2007 the UK government announced that incandescent bulbs would be phased out by 2011 and shortly afterwards all member states of the EU agreed to a progressive phase-out of incandescent light bulbs by 2012. The reasoning behind this was to move towards more energy efficient lighting alternatives.
Even though this has been taking place over a number of years, many people are still confused with what sort of light bulb to buy – especially those of us that grew up with the ‘old’ type of bulbs!
The advantages that the new energy efficient light bulbs such as halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes […]
Commercial electric car charging
The popularity of plug-in vehicles has soared in recent years – a fact backed up by recent car registration figures.
Data from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) show that more than 1,300 fully electric cars were registered in January this year – more than double compared to January 2018.
So, with more electric cars on the road than ever before, what can your business do to help green-minded employees and what benefits are there for you?
Why should I offer electric car charging points at work?
Electric and hybrid vehicles don’t just help individuals do their bit for the environment – installing charge points at work mean your […]
Yes Winter Is Really Here
We all know it’s important to keep warm in winter, but unless you can afford to put the heating on all day, keeping your home toasty can be a challenge. So, if you’re using portable heaters or electric blankets then make sure you stay safe as well as cosy – here’s how.
Only use as instructed
If we’re honest, most of us simply don’t bother to read the instructions to products that we think are obvious to use – including things like portable heaters and electric blankets. But not reading manufacturer guidelines can mean missing out on essential safety advice.
For example, if you have an electric blanket check to see […]