World Cup expected to increase demand for temporary outdoor electrical setups, says electrical expert
Posted by: electime 16th June 2026
With England’s World Cup campaign underway and many households expected to watch matches outdoors this summer, property maintenance company Aspect is highlighting seven common safety mistakes associated with temporary outdoor electrical setups.
Demand for outdoor projectors, screens, speakers and garden lighting is expected to increase during the tournament, creating additional opportunities for avoidable electrical safety risks.
Aspect’s electrical division attended more than 1,000 callouts across London and the South East last summer, many involving issues that could have been prevented with simple safety checks.
Darren Morely
Darren Morley, Electrical Trade Manager at Aspect, who has more than 23 years’ experience in the electrical industry, said:
“Major sporting events such as the World Cup often encourage households to create temporary outdoor entertainment spaces using televisions, projectors, extension leads and outdoor lighting. While these setups may only be used for a few hours at a time, the electrical risks remain the same.
“Many of the issues we attend could have been avoided through the correct selection of equipment, proper cable management and basic electrical safety checks before equipment is energised.”
To help football fans stay safe, Darren has highlighted seven common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Using indoor electrical equipment outdoors
Not all extension leads, sockets and electrical accessories are designed to withstand outdoor conditions. Always use equipment suitable for external use.
- Ignoring weather ratings
Look for products with appropriate weather protection and an IP rating. Indoor equipment is not designed to cope with moisture and damp conditions.
- Leaving cable reels coiled
Cable reels should be fully unwound before use. When left wound up under load, heat can build up within the cable, increasing the risk of overheating and potentially causing damage to the cable insulation.
- Daisy-chaining extension leads
Plugging one extension lead into another can overload circuits and increase the risk of overheating.
- Creating trip hazards with trailing cables
Route cables away from paths, steps and seating areas, particularly if guests will be moving around after dark.
- Forgetting that evening moisture can be a problem
Even if rain is not forecast, late-night dew and condensation can affect electrical equipment left exposed outdoors.
- Leaving equipment switched on overnight
Temporary outdoor electrical setups should be switched off, unplugged and stored safely after use.
Aspect is NAPIT registered and looks after homes with electrical repairs, inspections and safety testing across London and the South East.
