light switch cover

[pushybabe1]

am after some light switch covers either in chrome or stainless steel, have seen some on ebay which are ideal as they simply stick over an existing one rather than having to rewire, but still would like to know if there are more out there, thanx

[ChuckFickens]

I'd be willing to bet any stick over covers will look tacky and It's really not hard for anyone that is halfway competent with a screwdriver to change a light switch.

[pushybabe1]

thanx for the sarcasm but i am trying to do a half blind neighbour a favour so she can see her light swithes more clearly and also to save her spending money to have an electrician do them as she has no family, i dont do electrics and to be honest unless you are a certified electrician then no one should touch them

[ChuckFickens]

I wasn't being sarcastic, it was a honest opinion based on the known facts.

There are not many I can find...

http://www.shopwiki.c...?o=353191216&s=822784

There are also glow in the dark ones if you think they'd help
http://www.homeplates...lain-switchcover.aspx

If you search for "Decorative Light Switch Cover" you may find more.

[Old_Geezer]

Seriously you don't need to be a certified electrician to carry out the simpler tasks. But if you are not confident then maybe another route could be best. Although it may pay to ask around friends and family to see if anyone is confident to do it for you.

[Ratty2E]

Have you checked with the RNIB site to see what they might have? Bright fluorescent colours are usually better for people with a visual impairment. As long as the surrounding wall isn't decorated in a bright busy pattern, maybe you could get some sticky backed plastic type stuff in a fluorescent orange colour to stick over the switch.

[pushybabe1]

thanx all i am going to have a more serious look when i have time, hopefully it will rain at the weekend so i wont have an excuse not to do so

[AlBags]

Pushy.
They are easy to change .. in fact it's easier to replace a standard light switch than replace or fit a plug. 2x screws to the wallbox and probably only 2 wire connections inside. Transfer switch layout of wires to new switch .. done.
Buy some switches complete for them.

[scotman]

PB

I tend to agree that stick-on is not a good solution. I have followed Chuck's links and it seems that they only fit one size/type of switch rocker.
I would replace if possible.

[Buenchico]

Any 10-year-old should be able to change a light switch!

However the RNIB website suggests simply using a suitable coloured tape to outline the switch:
"Use switches and sockets which contrast with the walls. For example, a dark red light switch would contrast well with a white wall.
To add even more contrast, you could put a contrasting light or dark strip of tape around the outside of the switch"
http://www.rnib.org.u...ical_adaptations.aspx

If it's a light-coloured wall, a square of either black or brightly-coloured insulating tape around the switch would probably be just as good as anything more expensive. (Obviously, if it's a dark wall, white tape would be better).

Chris

[scotman]

You could consider suggesting a change to these illuminated ones

http://www.litswitch.com/

[pushybabe1]

thanx all for those great ideas, you know what its like when you are trying to be neighbourly one job turns into more, but thats what being a good neighbour is all about

[scotman]

No problem, most people on here will do their best to help - especially in the 'serious' topics.
Hope you have found things you use or suggest to your neighbour.

[scotman]

^^^^^^^

you CAN use

[Old_Geezer]

Had to say I was loathe to say how easy it is because even the easiest of jobs can go wrong. but since others have:

Light switches tend to have standard sizes (more or less) and they have standard positions where the bolts screw into the box in the wall. So that's some of the worry gone.

You can however get different types of switches (not referring to dimmers or the like) but hopefully you have the simple one light switch, one light bulb scenario.

Turn off lighting at the mains. Remove the bolts and gingerly pull off the switch itself. In the absence of a meter and knowing how to use one, getting someone to show you how to use a neon (electrician's) screwdriver without shorting anything out is a very good idea. It allows you to gain confidence you turned off the right thing, whch is rather important because electricity bites.

Use pen & paper to note where the existing wires go to the existing swtch, as you need to reproduce those connections exactly the same on the new switch (which should have the same connections).

When all's been noted and checked, unscrew the wires from the existing switch, screw them into the same connections on the new switch, Put it back on the box and screw the bolts back in again taking care not to crush anything as you ease it all in.

Go back and turn the lighting on again. Feel relieved the fuses didn't go after all. Try the new switch to prove it all works just fine.

[pushybabe1]

sorry old geezer for late reply but suddenly took ill last week, so was great to get your detailed answer and many many thanx to all