NICEIC data reveals electrical safety blind spots

October 13, 2025

A survey of 2,000 homeowners and renters across the UK by NICEIC reveals knowledge gaps in home electrical safety during (and after) a flood, and sheds light on the actions people are most likely to prioritise after a warning is issued.

Extreme rainfall and flooding events are becoming more common across the UK. In England, it’s estimated around 6.3 million properties are in areas at risk of flooding. A further 284,000 are at risk in Scotland, as well as over 272,000 in Wales and 45,000 in Northern Ireland.

Flooding poses a risk to life and property – but how many people consider their electrical safety first?

When asked what actions they would take first if it was safe to do so, 71% would not prioritise unplugging electrical appliances. And 51% would not prioritise turning off their home’s electricity supply.

The public is most likely to act to save their sentimental items from floodwater, with half of respondents saying they would do this as a priority action. Older people are more likely to prioritise sentimentality over safety when their home is in danger of flooding: 57% of 45-54-year-olds would do so, compared with 40% of 16-24-year-olds.

The survey also highlights a lack of awareness around simple actions that can protect electrical installations in a flood. For example, 20% of people are unsure whether it is safe to leave their home’s electricity supply on during light flooding, while one in seven believe it is safe to do so. This rises to one in five for those aged 25-34-years-old.

Furthermore, 21% of those surveyed also wrongly believe it is safe to use sockets upstairs if the flood water hasn’t reached the first floor. This is particularly concerning given that a home’s electrical system is interconnected, and if water has entered sockets downstairs, it can compromise the entire system and render it unsafe.

Respondents were also asked several true or false questions, testing their knowledge about a range of flood and post-flood scenarios:

40% of people believe rubber-soled shoes can provide protection against electrification in light flooding.
Nearly a third of people are either unsure or believe it is OK to begin using appliances again immediately after flood water has receded.
Almost 25% are either unsure or don’t think it is necessary to have electrical items tested by a registered electrician, no matter the extent of the flood.

niceic.com