Extension lead safety check in Sidmouth
Looking for professional extension lead safety check help in Sidmouth? Hembury Contracting provides reliable small jobs services across Sidmouth and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Sidmouth
Extension leads checked for safety issues. I'll assess overloading, check for damage, identify fire risks, and explain safe usage - peace of mind that your extension leads aren't a hazard.
### Extension Leads Cause Fires
Fact: **Overloaded extension leads cause hundreds of house fires every year.** Most people have no idea they're overloading them.
Four-way extension. Kettle, heater, laptop charger, phone charger. Looks fine. **Actually pulling 23A through a 13A rated lead.** Cables getting hot. Fire risk building.
> 💡 **It's not obvious until something melts or catches fire.** That's why a safety check matters.
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### What I'm Checking
| Risk | What To Look For | Why It Matters | |------|------------------|----------------| | **Overloading** | Total power draw vs lead rating | Cables overheat, fire risk | | **Physical damage** | Frayed cables, cracked casings | Exposed wires, shock risk | | **Daisy-chaining** | Extension leads plugged into each other | Multiplies overload risk | | **Poor positioning** | Under carpets, through doors | Cable damage, trip hazard |
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### Common Problems I Find
**🔌 The Kettle + Heater Combo** - Both high-power items - Together they exceed 13A - Extension lead getting hot - **Fix:** Each needs own wall socket
**🔌 Daisy Chain of Death** - Extension lead into extension lead - Creates overload potential - Often hidden behind furniture - **Fix:** Single lead from wall socket
**🔌 Buried Extension Lead** - Under carpet, behind sofa - Cable can't dissipate heat - Damage from furniture weight - **Fix:** Route properly or get shorter lead
**🔌 Ancient Damaged Lead** - Cracked casing - Frayed cable - Loose sockets - **Fix:** Replace it, not worth the risk
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### What You Get
| Stage | What Happens | |-------|--------------| | **Inspect** | Check every extension lead you're using | | **Test** | Calculate power draw, identify overloads | | **Advise** | Flag dangerous situations, explain fixes | | **Educate** | Show you how to use extension leads safely |
**📦 You're Left With**
- Knowledge of which leads are safe - Understanding of overloading - Safer setup - Reduced fire risk
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### Pricing Guide
| What's Checked | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |----------------|----------------|------------| | Home extension lead safety check | 30-45 mins | **£60** | | Including advice on better setup | 45 mins | **£60-£85** |
*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.*
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### This Service Is Perfect If...
✅ **Lots of extension leads** - want to know they're safe
✅ **High-power devices** - heaters, kettles, tools
✅ **Elderly relatives** - checking they're safe
✅ **Rental properties** - landlord ensuring safety
Why Choose Us for Extension lead safety check in Sidmouth?
Overloading issues identified
Damaged leads flagged for replacement
Safe usage explained clearly
Fire risk reduced significantly
What to Expect
### Step 1: Find All Extension Leads Go through your home identifying every extension lead in use. Check what's plugged into each one. ### Step 2: Calculate & Inspect Work out power draw for each lead. Check physical condition. Identify any daisy-chaining or risky positioning. ### Step 3: Advise & Explain Flag any dangerous situations. Explain which leads should be replaced, what shouldn't be plugged where, and how to use extension leads safely going forward.
Our Sidmouth Service Coverage
We cover Sidmouth and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Sidmouth or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> 🎨 **The 13A rule:** Most extension leads (and UK plugs) are rated 13A maximum. A single kettle uses 13A. A heater uses 10-13A. That means one high-power item per extension lead, max. Everything else needs wall sockets. **Surge protectors:** These protect against voltage spikes but don't increase the power capacity. A surge-protected extension lead is still only rated 13A total. **"Individual switches":** Extension leads with switches for each socket are handy but don't change the 13A total limit. You still can't exceed 13A across all sockets combined. **Power strips vs extension leads:** Same rules apply. Four-way bar, six-way block, tower - all have 13A total capacity regardless of how many sockets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Extension lead safety check in Sidmouth
What are you checking for?
Overloading (too much power draw for the lead's rating), physical damage (frayed cables, cracked sockets, exposed wires), daisy-chaining (plugging extension leads into each other), unsafe positioning (under carpets, through doorways), and general fire risks. Basically making sure your extension leads aren't a hazard.
How do you know if an extension lead is overloaded?
Check the rating (usually 13A total for the whole lead), then add up what's plugged into it. Kettle, heater, or power tool can each pull 10-13A alone - means they need their own plug. Laptops and phone chargers pull very little. I'll show you how to work it out.
Will I need to replace my extension leads?
Only if they're damaged or genuinely dangerous. Most problems are about how they're being used (overloading, daisy-chaining) rather than the leads themselves. I'll advise what's safe to keep and what should be replaced.
Can't I just look at them myself?
You can - and you should. But most people don't know what to look for beyond obvious damage. Overloading is the big one people miss, and it's the most common cause of electrical fires from extension leads.
Is this just for old extension leads?
No - new ones can be misused just as easily. This is more about checking how you're using them rather than their age. Though old damaged ones obviously need replacing.
Get a Free Quote in Sidmouth
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your extension lead safety check job in Sidmouth.
01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Sidmouth
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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