A new YouGov survey commissioned by NICEIC, the UKβs leading certification and training body for the electrical industry, has found that almost one in three (30%) UK adults have attempted DIY electrical work in the home putting themselves and their families at risk of unsafe electrics. This is despite 89% of all UK adults saying that they either tend to agree or strongly agree that undertaking some domestic electrical work could be dangerous or life threatening.
The survey, which was commissioned by NICEIC to investigate the attitudes and opinions of householders towards electrical DIY in the home, also found that 87% of UK adults either tend to agree or strongly agree that electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician. However, despite this, results suggest some householders are still attempting electrical work themselves, risking injury or even death, as well as costly implications to repair any incorrectly installed work.
Therefore, this month, NICEIC has launched the next phase of its Donβt Do DIY Electrics campaign aimed at educating householders of the dangers of using a non-certified business or attempting themselves to complete electrical works in a domestic setting.
The Donβt Do DIY Electrics campaign can be seen across social media channels including YouTube and Meta, and the wider Google network, through a series of new digital adverts that highlight the invisible dangers of unsafe electrical work.
NICEIC is committed to raising awareness of certification in the industry, providing ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and connecting consumers with NICEIC-certified businesses through its βfind a trusted tradespersonβ tool.
Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, commented: βOur ongoing commitment to raising standards in the industry and providing certification to thousands of businesses across the country has never been so important. Whilst itβs encouraging to see that the public has a strong understanding of the dangers of undertaking electrical work, itβs concerning that almost one in three people are still attempting to complete works themselves.
βIn the electrical industry, we are all aware of the potential dangers of bad electrical work and the costly implications to put unsafe electrics right. These findings show that thereβs work to be done to ensure householders fully understand the ramifications. Our Donβt Do DIY Electrics campaign aims to do just that, highlighting the invisible dangers of unsafe electrical work and the importance of using an NICEIC-certified business to carry out any installations or works.β
The campaign directs consumers to NICEICβs βfind a trusted tradesperson toolβ, a database of over 40,000 certified businesses across the country.
For more information, visit:
- niceic.com/dontdiy/ to find out more about the Donβt Do DIY Electrics campaign.
- niceic.com/for-the-trades/ to find out more about becoming a NICEIC certified business.
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