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13/06/2023

Electrical Safety

Over half of all accidental house fires are caused by electricity, with faulty electrics causing around four thousand fires in the home each year. Nine out of ten electrical fires are caused by electrical products.

What NOT To Do

Electrical safety
  • Do not use electrical devices with obvious damage such as frayed cables, exposed wires or melted plastic
  • Do not overload a socket by plugging too many appliances into an extension lead. Most extension leads are rated at 13A but some are rated at 10A or less.
  • Overloading an extension lead could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a fire
  • Do not plug one extension lead into another. Remember – only use one socket for one extension lead
  • Do not leave electrical items such as mobile phones on charge or laptop computers on a soft surface like a bed or sofa. Airflow to cooling vents can be blocked and there is a risk of the device overheating and igniting

What TO Do

Electrical safety
  • Check whether your electrical products have been recalled or a safety notice has been issued for them on the Electrical Safety First product database
  • Register your electrical products with manufacturers so that you are notified of any future recalls or safety notices
  • Be aware that you can register electrical products that you have not owned from new as you are still eligible to be notified of recalls and safety notices
  • Always use electrical products in line with the manufacturer’s guidance
  • Check regularly for the following danger signs:
    • A smell of hot plastic or burning
    • Sparks or smoke coming from a plug or appliance
    • Blackness or scorch marks around a plug, socket or appliance
    • Damaged or frayed cables
    • Exposed electrical wires
    • Melted plastic on appliance casings or plugs
    • Fuses that blow circuit breakers for no obvious reason
  • Check the rating of any appliances you wish to plug into an extension lead by using the socket overload calculator
  • Consider having additional sockets installed by a qualified electrician if you regularly use extension leads and adaptors
  • Ensure you have working smoke alarms on each level of your home and test them every month
  • Consider requesting a Home Fire Safety Visit to review fire precautions within your home and receive additional advice and guidance

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