5 Electrical Safety Checks to Make Before Summer

Rankins Team
Sep 2
2 min read

As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, most of us shift into summer mode — barbecues, outdoor gatherings, late-night lights, and portable cooling units running full tilt. But before you plug in the fairy lights and fire up the fan, it’s worth asking: is your home’s electrical setup ready for the seasonal surge?

Electrical faults are one of the most common causes of house fires in New Zealand, and summer places extra load on older or under-maintained systems. Here are five essential checks to help keep your home safe.

1. Flickering Lights or Buzzing Outlets

That flicker when you switch on the light, or the faint buzz from a power point, isn’t just a quirk — it could signal loose wiring, faulty fixtures, or overloaded circuits. Ignoring these warning signs risks damage or even fire over time.

2. Inspect Power Boards and Extension Cords

Summer means more devices competing for socket space — fans, bug zappers, outdoor speakers. Check your power boards for scorch marks, frayed cords, or wear. Avoid daisy-chaining multiple boards, which increases the chance of overheating and short circuits.

3. Test Your RCD (Residual Current Device)

Your RCD safety switch is designed to cut power if a fault occurs. Press the “Test” button and confirm it trips. If it doesn’t, your home may not be protected from electric shocks — especially important if kids are around or you’re running pools, spas, or water features.

4. Check Outdoor Power Points

Outlets exposed to rain, sun, and heat can crack or corrode. Make sure outdoor sockets are clean, dry, and properly covered with weatherproof protection.

5. Think About Load Management

Running multiple appliances at once — fans, fridges, chargers — can overload your circuits. If you’ve experienced tripping or outages, it’s worth asking an electrician to assess your system’s capacity before summer kicks in.