While landlords are legally required to have EICR inspections every five years, homeowners often neglect their electrical systems until something goes wrong. At Pennington Electrical Ltd, we believe prevention is better than cure. This checklist will help you spot warning signs early and know when to call a professional electrician in Leeds or Morley.

Start with your consumer unit. Check that all breakers are properly labelled and that nothing feels warm to the touch. If your fuse box is made of plastic, lacks RCD protection, or still uses rewireable fuses, it is time for an upgrade. Modern metal consumer units with RCD and surge protection are essential for family safety.

Inspect every socket and switch in your home. Look for cracks, discolouration, scorch marks, or a burning smell. Any of these signs indicates overheating or internal arcing and needs immediate professional attention. Also check that plugs fit securely — loose connections can overheat and cause fire.

Test your RCDs every three months by pressing the test button. They should trip instantly. If an RCD does not trip, or trips randomly without an obvious cause, call an electrician immediately. A failed RCD offers no protection against fatal electric shock. We recommend professional RCD trip-time testing annually.

Check your extension leads and adaptors. Never overload a socket with multiple high-power devices, and never daisy-chain extension leads. If you find yourself regularly using adaptors, it is a sign you need additional sockets installed by a qualified electrician.

Outdoor electrics need particular attention. Check that garden lights, outdoor sockets, and security lighting are all IP-rated for outdoor use and protected by an RCD. After any storm or flooding, have your outdoor circuits inspected before using them again.

Finally, book an EICR inspection at least every ten years — or every five if your home is over 30 years old. This professional inspection will identify hidden issues like deteriorating cable insulation, loose connections, and inadequate earthing that you cannot spot yourself. An EICR gives you peace of mind and can also be valuable when selling your home.