NICEIC, the UK’s leading certification body for the electrical industry, is urging families to prioritise electrical safety in and around their homes this Child Safety Week 2025 (2–8 June).

Spearheaded by the Child Accident Prevention Trust, this year’s theme is ‘safety is for sharing’. Child Safety Week provides an ideal opportunity for families across the country to take a closer look at electrical safety in their homes and gardens.

With children naturally curious and often unaware of the dangers posed by everyday appliances, socket-outlets, and outdoor equipment, now is the time for parents and guardians to ensure their environments are safe and secure. Simple checks and preventative measures can make all the difference to protect children from avoidable accidents at home.

NICEIC recommends the tips below for parents and guardians to help keep their children safe around electricity.

  • Teach children about the dangers of electricity: It is recommended that parents and guardians explain to children that electricity has the potential to cause serious injuries.
  • Avoid using damaged electrical equipment: Any electrical equipment that has frayed or damaged cords should not be used and safely discarded.
  • Keep electrical cords out of reach: Electrical cords and leads should be kept out of reach of children.
  • Avoid overloading socket-outlets: Avoid overloading socket-outlets. An extension lead should never be plugged into another extension lead, and if more outlets are required consider having additional socket-outlets installed.
  • Inspect regularly: Homeowners are advised to regularly check electrical cords, light switches, plugs and socket-outlets for damage and have any faulty items repaired by a NICEIC-registered electrician. Householders can find a NICEIC-registered electrician through the 'Find a trusted NICEIC tradesperson' tool.

NICEIC Technical Director, Paul Collins, said: “Child Safety Week is a timely opportunity to instil electrical safety education into children as well as highlighting simple measures that can be put in place to ensure families stay safe. We urge all householders to ensure that any form of electrical work is managed by a registered electrician.”

For almost 70 years, NICEIC has been the UK’s largest certification body for electrical businesses with over 40,000 currently certified with us. As the industry leader, we drive the highest standards of competence and safety.  

They assess, certify and train electricians, plumbers, renewable energy installers, and gas and heating engineers. To become certified, businesses must demonstrate their compliance with technical standards and industry best-practice through rigorous assessments and continuing professional development.  

Trade professionals look to us for certification and technical leadership, and value the credibility our name gives theirs. They provide ongoing advice and support, and list their businesses on our online ‘Find a trusted NICEIC tradesperson’ tool.  

NICEIC help build public trust in trade professionals – and we never compromise on that trust. They work alongside government and industry to shape policy and drive standards.

Many UK businesses, government organisations, local authorities and landlords will only work with NICEIC-certified businesses. The NICEIC brand is owned and managed by Certsure LLP.