Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has today urged all Australians not to do any DIY electrical work this Easter long weekend and to only use a fully qualified electrician.

MEA CEO Malcolm Richards warned that anyone looking to use the four-day weekend to do home repairs should not jeopardise their safety when it comes to electrical jobs.

“While people might think DIY electrical repairs are easy and might save them a couple of dollars, it’s really not worth the risk to lives or even wallets,’’ Mr Richards said.

“The enormous emotional cost of an injury or fatality is not worth the small amount you’ll save doing a DIY.

“The coming long weekend might provide you with the perfect opportunity to catch up on your home repairs, but please hire a fully qualified electrician to do your electrical work, even if you think you know what you’re doing.’’

DIY electrical work is not only dangerous, it’s illegal.

Homeowners can be prosecuted for performing their own electrical work with penalties of up to $40,000.

Posing as an electrician to carry out paid work carries heavier fines.

A man was fined $100,000 in South East Queensland this month for representing himself as a qualified electrician on website Airtasker between late 2015 to mid-2017.

“Fortunately, no one was injured or killed during this situation, however, the potential risks could have been fatal,” Mr Richards said.

To find a Master Electrician or licensed contractor for any of your electrical needs use the MEA’s online electrician booking service or call 1300 889 198.