By Aaron ANG Electrical – Your Local Electrician in Hove & Brighton
As the weather gets colder and the heating, lights, and festive decorations start working overtime, it’s a good time to make sure your home’s electrics are up to scratch.
A few quick checks now can help prevent tripped circuits, blown fuses, and even electrical fires over winter.
Here are five simple safety checks every homeowner should do before the temperatures drop:
1️⃣ Test Your Smoke and Heat Alarms
This one’s quick but vital. Press the test button on each alarm to make sure it sounds properly.
If it’s battery-powered, replace the battery once a year — ideally before winter.
If you have mains-wired alarms, make sure the green light is on and they’re interlinked correctly.
💡 Tip: If your alarms are over 10 years old, they should be replaced — the sensors lose accuracy with age.
2️⃣ Check for Loose or Damaged Sockets
With heaters, kettles, and dryers running more often, your sockets take extra load in winter.
Inspect each socket for:
- Burn marks or a smell of burning
- Cracks or movement in the faceplate
- Plugs that feel loose or warm
If you spot any of these signs, turn off the circuit and get it checked.
A loose connection can cause overheating — one of the most common causes of electrical fires.
3️⃣ Inspect Outdoor Lighting and Extension Leads
Winter weather and electrics don’t mix well.
Check all outdoor lights, garden sockets, and extension leads for cracked insulation or moisture inside the plug.
If you’re putting up Christmas lights, make sure they’re outdoor-rated (IP44 or higher) and plugged into an RCD-protected socket.
💡 Pro tip: Avoid daisy-chaining multiple extension leads — it’s a major fire risk.
4️⃣ Test Your RCD (Safety Switch)
Your RCD (Residual Current Device) protects you from electric shock. It should trip instantly when you press the “TEST” button.
If it doesn’t, switch the power off and get it inspected straight away.
You’ll usually find the RCD in your consumer unit (fuse board). If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, give me a shout — I’m happy to pop round and check it for you.
5️⃣ Book a Quick Electrical Health Check
If it’s been more than 5 years since your last inspection, a quick check can give you peace of mind.
I offer a friendly, no-fuss Winter Safety Check around Hove, Brighton, Shoreham, and nearby areas — ideal for homeowners and landlords who want to make sure everything’s safe before the busy season.
✅ Final Word
A few small checks now can save you a lot of hassle later — especially when the cold weather hits and you really need everything working smoothly.
If you’d like me to carry out a quick safety inspection or fix anything you’ve spotted, just get in touch:
📞 Aaron ANG Electrical
📍 Based in Hove | Serving Brighton, Shoreham, Worthing, and beyond
💬 Friendly, punctual, and tidy — here to keep your home safe this winter.