DIY amateurs in St Helens have been warned that from New Years Day they could face hefty fines if they fail to comply with new electrical safety regulations.

Hazardous electrical DIY tasks, which result in around 10 deaths and 750 injuries each year will now be met by fines of up to £5,000, a measure that's designed to maximise safety.

The new building regulations state that a registered electrician must be employed to carry out electrical works in a bathroom, kitchen or garden - the areas where most accidents happen due to the exposure to water. Any major electrical work in the house such as rewiring jobs will also require expert assistance when the law is brought into play.

However, the regulations will not apply to small electrical jobs such as repairs to power points or putting spurs onto a circuit, as long as they are not in the kitchen, bathroom or outdoors.

In addition, when people sell their homes they may be required to provide the buyer with copies of certificates relating to electrical work that has been carried out. To try to obtain certificates many months or years after the work has been completed may prove to be either very expensive or impossible.

More information on the new DIY regulations is available from St Helens Council's Building Control department on 01744 456242.