A safer meter box: 5 practical tips!

When buying a house, electricity is one of the most important things to pay attention to. An unsafe meter box can cause power outages, but also fires. This is because the meter box usually contains not only the electrical system but also the gas pipes. It's therefore not surprising that a large proportion of house fires start in the meter box. Fortunately, you can do a lot to prevent dangerous situations. So, take a look at these five practical tips and put them into practice.

Keep your meter cupboard tidy

Many people see the meter box as extra storage space. However, it's best to keep all equipment in the box easily accessible. This allows you to quickly switch off the power manually in an emergency. Moreover, a fire that might start in a tidy meter box will have less chance to spread. Therefore, it's absolutely advisable not to store flammable materials in your meter box.

Be prepared with a flashlight and smoke detector

Power outages always happen unexpectedly. To be well-prepared, it's helpful to keep one of your flashlights in a permanent spot in the fuse box. This way, you'll always have light at hand if you need to operate the switchboard in the dark. Furthermore, a smoke detector can save lives by alerting you to smoke in the fuse box.

Check the operation of the earth leakage circuit breaker(s)

A residual current device (RCD) protects against electric shock by stopping the power supply when the leakage current exceeds the maximum. Therefore, it's important to check whether the RCD is still functioning properly. Do this at least twice a year.

Ventilate your meter cupboard

You should also keep an eye on the operation of your natural gas system. A simple ventilation grille in the door will let you smell a gas leak more quickly.

Provide surge protection

Excessive electrical voltage can damage your equipment, such as from a lightning strike. Surge protection keeps your devices safe in such a case.

Building inspection

Such an inspection will give you more clarity about the structural condition of the home. Therefore, have it checked beforehand with a building inspection or contact us!

Would you like to make an appointment for a building inspection?

The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!

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