The Government has introduced legislation in the form of an additional section (Part P) to the Building Regulations which will state that any electrical installations must be carried out by a competent person. This is in line with the competency expected from gas installers and goes far beyond just knowing which colour wires do what.

Competence, in this case, will mean a full, qualified knowledge of electrical installations. It will mean you have the ability to thoroughly check a circuit for safety and you will be able to issue a minor works certificate as a self certified "competent person". This won't apply to repairs to power-points or putting spurs onto a circuit, unless you are working in the kitchen or bathroom area or outdoors, because electricity and water don't mix.

Electricity kills and injures many people every year. A great many of these people are dead or injured because they tried working on installations which they did not understand. The Government is also intending, it is believed, to introduce a scheme whereby domestic installations are checked at regular periods to make sure they comply, and also when a house is sold or purchased.

Keep water away from anything electric. Do not even wash walls without turning off the power at the main switch.

If you need to change a mains fuse, check the correct rating for that circuit - the blown fuse might have been incorrect in the first place. Using a thicker fuse wire than the correct rating is dangerous.
 
What is an RCD?
RCD's (Residual Current Devices) can respond to changes in the flow of electric current. For example, when a flex or cable is cut or an electric tool malfunctions, and direct contact is made with a mains supply conductor and earth, the RCD automatically disconnecting the power supply to the equipment to reduce the risk of you being electrocuted. This is not a solution for poorly maintained or damaged appliances.