How To Avoid Electrical Fires

Every year, over half of accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity. Most of these fires are caused by electrical products, either due to misuse or faults. Over half of these electrical fires start in the kitchen, where cooking appliances and white goods are the main culprits. In this blog post, we go through some tips to help you keep your home and loved ones safe from electrical fires.

Fire Safety

• Consider fitting your fusebox with an Residual Current Device (RCD). It is a life-saving device that switches the electricity off automatically if there is a fault. Plug-in RCDs can be used for individual sockets.
• Have the electrical installation in your home checked by a registered electrician by performing an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) performed. Homeowners should have this done every ten years, or when you move house. We recommend that privately rented properties are checked every five years, or when there is a change of tenancy.
• Do not store combustible materials (clothes, papers, cleaning materials, etc.) near your service head (cutout fuse), electricity meter, or fusebox, especially if these are under the stairs (a means of escape from upper levels in an emergency).
• Do not overload electrical adaptors by plugging too many appliances into one socket, especially those with high electrical current ratings such as kettles, irons, and heaters.
• When using a portable heater, keep it away from flammable materials like papers, curtains, and furniture, and never use it to dry clothes.
• Turn off any electrical appliances that you are not using, particularly at night, when a fire can spread unnoticed and cause more damage.
• Check flexible cables for damage, wear and tear, and make sure the plug is securely fastened to the cable before using the appliances.
• Hand-held electrical appliances, such as hair dryers and straighteners, get very hot in normal use. Always switch them off, unplug them, and store them safely, preferably in heat-proof pouches, after use.
• Regularly check your sockets – if you see burn marks or they feel hot, get a registered electrician to check if they need repairing or replacing.
• Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your property to alert you in case of fire, giving you a chance to safely exit the building and call for help.

Staying Safe With Electrical Appliances

Although large white goods like washing machines, tumble dryers, fridge-freezers and dishwashers have many built in safety mechanisms to prevent fires, when something goes wrong, it can be very serious. Here are some simple steps you can take to make sure that doesn't happen:

• Always buy from a retailer you can trust and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing, using, and maintaining electrical appliances.
• Don’t leave washing machines, tumble dryers, or dishwashers running overnight or when you are out.
• If your appliance starts making a strange noise or isn’t working properly, don't ignore it. Unplug it and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.
• Don’t overload washing machines or tumble dryers – take bulky items like duvets to the dry cleaners.
• Do regular checks of plugs and sockets for burn marks, sounds of 'arcing' (buzzing or crackling), fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if they feel too hot to touch.
• Don't place fridges or freezer near cookers, radiators, or in direct sunlight, as it will have to work harder to maintain the required internal temperature.
• Clean behind your fridge and freezer regularly to keep lint and dust from building up, and ensure there is enough room behind the appliance for air to circulate freely.
• Clean the lint filter / dryer vent of your dryer after every use
• Clean your oven and hob regularly and clear spillages immediately to avoid a build-up of food debris and fat.
• Only use your microwave for food! Follow the instructions on the packaging and only put items in the microwave that are clearly marked as microwave-safe.
• Always register your electrical appliances so that the manufacturer can contact you if there’s a problem.

Registering Your Products

Product registration ensures that the manufacturer can contact you if a product recall is necessary. The average success rate of an electrical product recall in the UK is only 10-20%. By registering your product, you enable the manufacturer to get in touch with you in case of a problem.

You can register your product online. You’ll usually need the brand name, the model, the serial number, and the date of purchase.

What To Do In Case Of Fire

In case of a fire, it's crucial to know what to do to ensure everyone's safety.

• Keep calm and act quickly: It's crucial to stay calm during a fire emergency. Panicking can cause mistakes and delay your evacuation. Try to get everyone out of the building as soon as possible.
• Don’t waste time investigating or rescuing valuables: Your safety and the safety of others should be your top priority. Material items can be replaced; lives cannot.
• Stay low if there's smoke: Smoke from a fire will rise, filling the area from the ceiling down. The air will be clearer near the floor, so crawl or stay as low as possible if you need to move through smoke-filled areas.
• Check doors before you open them: Before opening any door during a fire, check to see if it's warm. You can do this by using the back of your hand. If the door is warm, don't open it; there may be fire on the other side.
• Call 999 as soon as you're clear of the building: As soon as you have safely evacuated, call 999. This number is a free emergency line that you can call for help. Be sure to provide them with as much information as possible about the fire and the location.
• Consider a Home Fire Risk Check: Many local Fire and Rescue Services offer home visits to carry out a Home Fire Risk Check to help keep you and your family safe. They can provide personalised advice on fire safety at home.

For more information or to schedule a Home Fire Risk Check, contact your local Fire and Rescue Service on their non-emergency contact number. Remember, only use the emergency number (999) for immediate threats and emergencies.