Each year, Electrical Safety First teams up with the Home Office to spotlight the importance of electrical fire safety in the home.
Working closely with the government’s Fire Kills campaign, and Fire & Rescue Services across the UK, this year’s Electrical Fire Safety Week begins on Monday 14th November, raising awareness of electrical fire risks and highlighting the simple steps that people can take to prevent fires in their homes.
Why do we need Electrical Fire Safety Week?
More than half of all accidental house fires are caused by electricity, and nine out of ten electrical fires are caused by electrical products.
The five products that cause the most electrical fires in UK homes are:
- Electric cooking appliances (such as cookers and microwaves)
- Laundry appliances (washing machines and tumble dryers)
- Electrical lighting
- Portable heaters
- TVs
In total, these products cause almost 12,000 fires and 3,000 injuries each year.
Electrical fire safety dos and don’ts
Do:
- Ensure electrical installations are checked by a registered electrician. These checks should be carried out at least every ten years, or whenever you move home.
- Check your sockets for burn marks regularly.
- Turn off any electrical appliances that you aren’t using, particularly at night.
- Check cables for damage before plugging them in.
- Call the Fire and Rescue Service immediately if you smell burning.
Don’t
- Overload electrical adaptors by plugging in too many appliances in one socket.
- Put electrical heaters near curtains or furniture, or dry clothes on them.
- Cover the air vents on storage or fan heaters.
- Trail flexible cables under carpets or rugs.
- Use bulbs with a higher wattage than the wattage signalled on a light fitting or lamp shade.
Electrical Safety First shares an array of in-depth, tailored advice for keeping your home safe from electrical fires. You can find more specific guidance here.
The importance of using qualified electrical engineers
Given the hazardous nature of working with electricity, health and safety must be priority number one. Engineers should train under the expert guidance of experienced, qualified teachers who ensure that their knowledge and skills meet all of the latest electrical regulations that are in place to protect themselves and the public.
Accidental fires cause 46 deaths and a further 2,469 injuries per year, reinforcing the importance of using qualified engineers for installations and for regular services of electrical appliances.
The Electrical Safety First website allows you to search for local registered electrical engineers here.