Electrical hazards are one of the leading causes of house fires and injuries in Australian homes. Many of these risks develop slowly over time—hidden behind walls or inside switchboards—until something goes seriously wrong. That’s why spotting the signs early for an electrical safety inspection and understanding the risks can make all the difference.
Here are the most common and dangerous electrical hazards found in Perth homes—and what you can do to stay safe.
1. Outdated or Faulty Wiring
Older homes across Perth—especially those built before the 1990s—often have wiring that’s no longer up to modern standards. This wiring may not cope with today’s power demands from fridges, air conditioners, dishwashers, and entertainment systems.
Why this matters:
Outdated wiring can overheat or short circuit under load. Left untreated, this becomes a major fire risk. Even if your switchboard hasn’t tripped, your wiring might still be struggling behind the scenes.
What to look for:
- Fuses blow or breakers trip without warning
- Light switches or outlets feel warm
- Buzzing sounds or a burning smell
What you can do:
Book an inspection with a licensed electrician. We’ll test the integrity of your wiring and advise if a partial or full rewire is needed. Upgrading old cabling doesn’t just improve safety—it brings peace of mind.
2. Electrical Surges
Electrical surges happen in a flash, often triggered by lightning, faulty appliances, or issues on the power grid. These voltage spikes can silently damage electronics and cause premature failure of expensive appliances.
Why this matters:
Power surges don’t always show immediate signs. But over time, they wear out internal components in devices like TVs, computers, and air conditioners—costing you more in the long run.
What to look for:
- Appliances randomly fail or need replacing too often
- Electronics get hot or buzz when in use
- Breakers trip after a storm or blackout
What you can do:
Install surge-protected power boards and consider a whole-home surge protector at the switchboard. During storms, unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage.
3. Overloaded Power Points
Plugging too many appliances into one power point—or using cheap power boards—can quickly overload a circuit. This is especially common in older homes with fewer outlets per room.
Why this matters:
Overloads create heat. If the circuit doesn’t trip quickly enough, that heat can melt cables or start a fire behind the wall.
What to look for:
- Power boards daisy-chained together
- Discoloured or hot power points
- Breakers tripping during appliance use
What you can do:
Spread appliances across different outlets, avoid stacking power boards, and upgrade rooms with extra circuits if needed. We can also install additional GPOs to reduce reliance on extensions.
4. Power Points Near Water
In kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor areas, the risk of electric shock increases dramatically when outlets are close to water. Wet surfaces conduct electricity, and one wrong move can cause serious injury.
Why this matters:
It only takes a split second for water to meet live power. Outlets near taps, baths or garden hoses should be fitted with the right safety features to prevent electrocution.
What to look for:
- Power points too close to sinks or taps
- No weatherproof covers outdoors
- Using appliances with wet hands
What you can do:
Have outlets relocated or replaced with waterproof fittings where needed. For outdoor areas, use RCD-protected circuits with IP-rated covers to keep moisture out.
5. Damaged or Exposed Wires
Frayed cords, cracked insulation, or chewed wiring from rodents are serious hazards. These can energise metal surfaces or cause sparking without you realising it.
Why this matters:
Damaged wires expose you to both shock and fire risks. Pests like rats can chew through insulation, leaving live wires behind walls or in roof cavities.
What to look for:
- Appliances with visible wire damage
- Chewed cables behind furniture or in roof spaces
- Flickering lights or burning smells
What you can do:
Replace damaged cords and have your wiring checked if there are signs of rodent activity. Pest control may be needed to prevent future issues.
6. Faulty Circuit Breakers or Switchboards
Your switchboard is the heart of your home’s electrical system. If breakers are old, loose, or not functioning properly, they may not trip when needed—or trip too easily.
Why this matters:
A faulty switchboard can allow faults to continue undetected, increasing fire risk. Tripping breakers may also be masking deeper problems in your wiring.
What to look for:
- Frequent tripping or flickering lights
- Breakers that feel loose or don’t reset
- No RCDs fitted to circuits
What you can do:
Have your switchboard assessed and upgraded if needed. Modern boards with RCD protection offer much greater safety and are required under current regulations.
7. Mild Electric Shocks from Appliances or Taps
If you feel a tingle when touching an appliance or tap, it’s a warning sign. Even a mild shock can signal a serious fault in your earthing system.
Why this matters:
Ground faults can energise metal fittings in your home. If you touch a live surface and there’s no RCD protection, the outcome can be fatal.
What to look for:
- Tingling or shocks when touching taps or appliances
- Breakers tripping when using water-connected devices
- No visible earth connection on outlets
What you can do:
Stop using the affected area and call an electrician immediately. We’ll test your earthing, inspect the fault, and ensure your system complies with safety standards.
8. DIY Electrical Work
We’ve seen it all—taped-up wires, dodgy switch replacements, and power points installed without proper testing. DIY electrical work is not just illegal in WA—it’s outright dangerous.
Why this matters:
Improper connections, overloaded circuits and poor terminations can all lead to electrocution or fire. Just because something “works” doesn’t mean it’s safe.
What to look for:
- Exposed wiring or junction boxes
- Missing switchboard labels
- Work done by unlicensed individuals
What you can do:
Only ever use a licensed electrician. We can inspect previous DIY jobs, correct any faults, and certify your system for safety.
9. Cheap or Unsafe Power Boards
Not all power boards are made equal. Cheaper models often lack thermal cut-off switches or overload protection, making them a common cause of fires.
Why this matters:
If a power board overheats, it can catch fire within minutes. Cheap models may also fail to isolate individual sockets when one fails.
What to look for:
- Old or cracked plastic casings
- Power boards warm to the touch
- No reset or surge protection switches
What you can do:
Replace old boards with high-quality units that include overload and surge protection. Never plug multiple boards together or hide them under furniture.
10. Lighting Hazards
Flickering lights might seem harmless—but they’re often an early warning sign of loose wiring, overloads, or faulty fixtures.
Why this matters:
Loose connections can arc (spark) and generate enough heat to start a fire. Poorly installed downlights, especially halogens, can also overheat and ignite insulation.
What to look for:
- Lights flicker or hum
- Ceiling fittings feel hot
- Burn marks near downlights
What you can do:
Have your lighting inspected, especially if using old halogen globes. We can upgrade fittings, secure loose wiring, and ensure all lights are installed safely.
Staying Safe: Electrical Maintenance Tips for Perth Homes
Protect your home with these WA-compliant safety practices:
1. Book a licensed electrical inspection every 5–10 years
For older homes (pre-1990), or if you’ve had recurring faults, inspections every 3–5 years are recommended. There’s no legal requirement for periodic inspections in WA, but Building and Energy WA strongly encourages it for safety. Inspections should be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor like Limelight Electrix in accordance with AS/NZS 3019.
2. Upgrade old fuse boxes to RCD-protected switchboards
Under WA law, RCDs (residual current devices) must be installed on all final sub-circuits in rental or sale properties. Even if your home isn’t changing hands, upgrading improves protection against electric shock and complies with AS/NZS 3000 safety standards.
3. Never overload circuits or power boards
Overloading causes overheating and fire risk. Avoid daisy-chaining power boards or plugging in multiple high-wattage appliances to a single outlet. Use only quality surge-protected boards and have extra outlets installed by a licensed electrician if needed.
4. Replace damaged cords, plugs or fittings immediately
Appliances or extension leads with frayed insulation, exposed copper, or signs of heat damage are unsafe. Under WA regulations, faulty appliances must not be used until repaired or replaced by a qualified professional.
5. DIY electrical work is illegal in WA
The Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 (WA) make it unlawful for unlicensed individuals to carry out any fixed electrical work. This includes replacing power points, hard-wiring appliances, or modifying switchboards. All work must be completed by a licensed electrician and comply with AS/NZS 3000.
Need an Expert? We’re Here to Help
Electrical hazards often build up unnoticed—but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. At Limelight Electrix, we help homeowners across Perth stay safe with thorough inspections, switchboard upgrades, rewiring, and fault finding.
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, don’t wait for something to go wrong. Book an inspection today and get the peace of mind that comes with a safe home.
Contact Limelight Electrix for expert electrical safety services across Perth. Same-day support available.
