The festive season is here, and homes across the borough and the UK are glowing with twinkling lights and bustling with holiday cheer. But with all the excitement, it’s easy to overlook something very important – electrical safety in the home.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) warns that simple mistakes can lead to devastating consequences. Their message is clear: let’s hear sleigh bells, not sirens. Every year, electrical fires spike during the holidays, often caused by overloaded sockets, faulty fairy lights, and decorations placed too close to heat sources.
We caught up with Harry Tompkins, an electrical engineer from Aston Group, who shared this advice: “Double check your lights before you plug them in, don’t overload your plug sockets or extension leads, and always switch off and unplug decorations before bed or when you go out.”
The LFB also advises keeping Christmas trees away from heat sources and watering them regularly to prevent them from drying out and becoming highly flammable.
As part of our commitment to tenant safety, the council carries out electrical safety checks in all council homes every five years. These inspections, known as Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR), are quick, essential, and could save lives. Our contractors, Aston Group, will contact you to arrange an appointment. These checks are a legal requirement and part of your tenancy agreement.
During the visit, engineers will:
If you receive a letter about your upcoming electrical safety check, please call Aston Group on 020 8017 2268 to book or confirm your appointment.
