If you like to do it yourself and give home improvement a go, it is important that you follow all the necessary precautions to keep safe. Qualified experts learn about safety whilst working during their training so we have put together some top tips to bear in mind when you are working on electricity in the bathroom.

It is essential that when you carry out any work that you turn off the electricity mains in no place is this more important than the bathroom. Electricity is a dangerous thing and water conducts electricity if the two mix then disastrous accidents can occur.

Safety guidelines should be followed rigidly when installing electrical equipment especially in the bathroom. So here are some safety advice tips.

There is only one type of socket available in the bathroom that is s special shower socket. It must conform to BSEN 60742 chapter 2, section 1.

You should never use electrical equipment in the bathroom like hair dryers or electric heaters even if they are plugged in outside.

Ever wonder why all bathrooms have pull switches well to meet safety requirements switches must be ceiling mounted with a pull cord. If you must use a conventional light switch it must be fitted outside the bathroom. The same goes for switches that control showers and wall heaters.

Lights that are fitted in the bathroom must not be reachable from in the bath or shower. For this reason bathroom lighting is to be self-contained, shielded and mounted close to the ceiling.

If you are going to install a heater in the bathroom it must conform to IEE wiring regulations and be placed in a safe place.

If you are thinking about turning your bedroom into an en suite then the shower must be over 3m (10ft) from the nearest socket outlet which must be protected by a 30 milliamp RCD.

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