40% of house fires are caused by electrical faults and electrical appliances in NSW homes each year

Many of these fires are caused by old wiring that is worn out or is unable to cope with the demands of modern electrical equipment.

In addition to the risk of fire, making contact with aged or faulty wiring can be fatal.

If your home was built more than 10 or 20 years ago, your wiring may start to become a significant risk.

If you come across any old electrical wiring in your home, do not touch any part of it as live parts of the wires may be exposed, especially at power outlet or light switch connections – call a licensed electrician.

In older homes most of the electrical wiring used had a rubber protective coating for the wires, over time it deteriorates and crumbles away, leaving the wire exposed and increasing the chance of fire.

Wires used now are coated in PVC, which has a much smaller risk of deteriorating and leaving exposed wires.

If your home was built before the 1980s, you really should consider having it inspected to see if you have any aged or faulty wiring.

The only way to be sure that the electrical wiring in your home is not a risk to you and your family is to have a qualified electrician inspect the wiring in your home.

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