Electrical Safety

The majority of all accidental house fires are caused by an electrical fault.

Last updated: 1st March, 2024

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 TO Do

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

What NOT To Do

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

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