Effective Tips and Advice for Recognizing Potential Electrical Hazards and Preventing Fires at Home
- Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and malfunctioning appliances are some of the leading causes of home fires. In addition, incidents involving e-bikes, e-scooters, and lithium batteries have been increasing. Common household appliances such as dishwashers, tumble dryers, washing machines, and cooking equipment are frequent ignition sources.
- These fires tend to spread quickly, igniting nearby materials and making them difficult to control. Furthermore, electrical devices contain various materials that, when burned, release harmful fumes and gases.
- On this page, we’ll cover electrical fire safety and provide tips to help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your home.
Preventing electrical fires
Any electrical appliance left plugged into the mains has the potential to start a fire. Some devices, such as fridges and freezers, are designed to remain on, but even they can pose a fire risk if not used correctly.
Safety tips:
- Keep the area around plug sockets and the main switch clear.
- Always use the correct fuses.
You should never:
- Use anything with a frayed or damaged wire or plug.
- Use any electrical item that is broken or malfunctioning.
- Place electrical cables under carpets.
- Overload sockets with too many plugs.
Switch off
- The only way to ensure that no electricity is flowing through an appliance is by switching it off at the socket and unplugging it. Simply using the on/off switch on the socket is not reliable, as the switch could be faulty.
- Many appliances continue to draw power even when they appear to be turned off, and this includes devices in ‘sleep mode’ or on ‘standby’.
- In addition to improving safety, turning off and unplugging appliances at the wall will help save both electricity and money!
Where to plug it in
Appliances with motors, pumps, or large magnets can consume up to seven times more power. Fridges, freezers, microwaves, washing machines, dishwashers, dryers, power tools, and gardening equipment should never be connected to adaptors or power strips alongside other devices. Instead, plug them directly into the wall.
Overloaded plugs
It’s crucial to prevent overloading circuits, as this can cause wires to overheat and catch fire. Avoid using extension cords and power strips for extended periods, as they can also pose a fire risk.
Additionally, make sure the area around plug sockets and the mains switch remains clear.
Use the right fuse
The fuse in a plug acts as a safety mechanism that will "blow" if an electrical appliance experiences a fault. This cuts off the electricity to prevent the appliance from overheating and potentially causing a fire. If an incorrect fuse is used, it won’t blow.
Using power adaptors and extension leads
- When used safely, adaptors allow multiple appliances to be plugged into one socket. Overloading them can lead to fire risks.
- Instead of a block adaptor, use a multi-way extension lead with surge protection.
- Ensure the adaptor has a fuse and a kite mark from Intertek BEAB.
- Never overload the adaptor—appliances should not exceed a total of 13 amps.
Find an Electrician
Improperly installed electrical work can be dangerous. One of the best ways to prevent electrical fires is to have a qualified electrician inspect your system regularly. This helps detect potential issues before they turn into serious problems.
Register your appliance
When buying an appliance, you may not always provide your details to the manufacturer. This can make it difficult for them to reach you if a fault is discovered.