A Burlington contractor has been sent to jail for doing electrical work illegally.
He was also ordered to pay $50,000 in fines for working without an electrical contractor's licence as he worked on homes in Milton, putting in pot lights.
Scott Saint is the chief public safety officer with the Electrical Safety Authority.
He says the courts are sending a strong message.
"I think the courts have delivered a very strong and clear message," says Saint. "If you break the law and put public safety at risk, there will be consequences. These are significant consequences. Five days in jail served consecutively, $50,000 in fines, that's not insignificant. I think people who are trying to do work illegally ought to pay attention to that."
Saint says homeowners should check the ESA website, or call their offices to make sure work is being performed by a licensed contractor.
"We licence them and we track them and we make sure they have insurance," says Saint. "If we find past electrical contractors who are not living up to the standards, licenses have been removed."
Saint says he's aware many people change fixtures and switches on their own, but electrical work should be left to professionals.
"Short of changing light bulbs, we always recommend you hire a licensed contractor," says Saint. "Electricity is unforgiving and lethal. A simple switch change may seem easy, but you hit the wrong wire, turn off the wrong breaker, and it could have dire consequences."
He says all electrical contractors in the province should have their licence number readily available.