Electrical safety in the home is something most of us take for granted — until something goes wrong. As a NAPIT registered electrician covering Deal, Dover, Canterbury and all of Kent, I have seen first-hand the consequences of neglected electrical systems. The good news? Most electrical hazards are entirely preventable with regular checks and awareness.
This checklist covers everything Kent homeowners should inspect monthly, annually and when buying or selling a property. It is not a substitute for a professional EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report), but it will help you spot warning signs early and know when to call a qualified electrician.
Monthly Checks You Can Do Yourself
1. Test Your RCDs
Your Residual Current Device (RCD) is designed to cut power instantly if it detects a fault, preventing electric shock and fire. Every month, press the "T" or "Test" button on your consumer unit. The power should trip off immediately. If it does not, or if it is sticky, call a NAPIT registered electrician immediately — this is a critical safety failure.
2. Check Smoke and Heat Alarms
Press the test button on every smoke and heat alarm in your home. They should sound loudly. If any alarm is silent, has a persistent chirp, or is over 10 years old, replace it. For mains-powered alarms, only a qualified electrician should carry out replacement work. L Fowler Electrical installs Aico interlinked smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms across Kent.
3. Inspect Sockets and Switches
Look for discolouration, scorch marks, cracks or buzzing sounds around sockets and switches. These are early warning signs of loose connections or overloaded circuits. Do not ignore them — a warm socket is not normal and indicates a potentially serious fault.
4. Unplug Unused Appliances
Extension leads, phone chargers and small appliances left plugged in draw power continuously and pose a fire risk. Unplug anything not in use, especially at night. Never leave washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers running unattended.
Annual Checks — When to Call an Electrician
5. Schedule an EICR
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a comprehensive inspection of your home's fixed wiring. Homeowners should have one every 10 years, or every 5 years for rental properties. The report identifies deterioration, defects and dangerous conditions. L Fowler Electrical carries out EICRs across Kent with same-day reports and clear explanations of any required remedial work.
6. Inspect Your Consumer Unit (Fuse Board)
If your consumer unit is more than 15 years old, has a plastic enclosure, uses rewirable fuses, or lacks RCD protection, it is time for an upgrade. Modern metal consumer units with RCBO protection on every circuit are the gold standard in electrical safety. Read our guide on when to replace your fuse board for full details.
7. Check Outdoor Electrics
Garden lighting, outdoor sockets, EV chargers and security lighting are exposed to weather and wear. Check for water ingress, cracked casings and damaged cables. Outdoor electrics must be RCD protected and rated for external use — anything less is a shock hazard waiting to happen.
Before Buying or Selling a Property
8. Get a Pre-Purchase Electrical Survey
A homebuyer electrical report from L Fowler Electrical gives you a detailed assessment of the property's electrics before you commit. We have carried out pre-purchase surveys for buyers in Deal, Dover, Canterbury and across Kent — identifying rewiring needs, unsafe installations and hidden costs that saved clients thousands.
9. Verify the Age of the Wiring
Properties built before 1960 often have rubber-insulated wiring, which becomes brittle and dangerous over time. Aluminium wiring, common in the 1960s and 70s, is also a fire risk. If the property is over 40 years old and has never been rewired, budget for a full rewire before you move in.
10. Check for Part P Compliance
Any electrical work carried out since 2005 should be Part P compliant and notified to building control. Ask for certificates and building control compliance documents. If the seller cannot provide them, the work may be illegal and your insurer may refuse claims. L Fowler Electrical is NAPIT registered and self-certifies all notifiable work.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Call a qualified electrician immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Burning smells or scorch marks around sockets or switches
- Flickering lights that are not caused by a loose bulb
- Circuit breakers that trip repeatedly for no obvious reason
- Electric shocks or tingling sensations from metal fixtures
- Buzzing or crackling sounds from the consumer unit
- Sockets or switches that feel warm or hot to the touch
- Frayed, damaged or chewed cables
Why Choose L Fowler Electrical for Your Kent Home?
With 15+ years of experience and NAPIT registration, L Fowler Electrical provides honest, thorough electrical safety inspections across Kent. We explain everything in plain English, provide detailed reports, and never upsell unnecessary work. Whether you need an EICR, a fuse board upgrade, a full rewire or just peace of mind, we are your local Kent electrician.
Book an Electrical Safety Inspection
Get a professional EICR or pre-purchase electrical survey from your local NAPIT registered electrician in Kent.