Staying Warm Safely This Winter As Energy Bills Rise

Most of us are facing financial challenges at the moment as the cost of everyday items and energy continue to rise. We understand that this means that people are looking for more economical solutions to making it though the winter. In this blog post we wanted to highlight the potential dangers of some of these options to help you and your family stay safe.

However you heat your home, the chances are you’ve seen your bills increase (despite the energy price cap) so you may be considering alternative ways to stay warm as the cost of gas and heating oil rises. Rather than using central heating to heat the whole house some are considering using portable electric heaters to heat just one room in an effort to keep costs down. If you are thinking of doing this there are a few things to consider, as the Fire Service have expressed concerns about the risk of increasing numbers of heating related fires.

If you want to use an electric heater, make sure it is in good working order and the cable is in good condition before plugging it in. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check that the heater is registered with the manufacturer so that you will be notified if any safety issues are identified. If there are children, elderly people or pets at home take extra care that heaters are not in danger of being knocked over and make sure they are located away from any furnishings that could catch fire. Never cover electric heaters or use them to dry washing by laying clothing on them.

While some energy providers are encouraging people to use overnight electricity to power items like heaters, washing machines and electric blankets to keep costs down by taking advantage of lower, off-peak tariffs, the advice from the Fire Service is to avoid this if possible. If a fire does break out at night it will take longer for you to become aware, whilst signs of fire such as smoke or a burning smell are more easily noticed during the day.

If you cannot avoid using appliances overnight there are some steps you can take to keep your family safe. Firstly, make sure you have smoke alarms fitted throughout your home and make sure that these are tested regularly to ensure that they are in working order. When you head up to bed in the evening close internal doors, this will help to prevent the spread of smoke and fire if a fire was to break out, as well as helping to keep rooms warm.

Unplug any heaters before at the end of the day too, and if you are leaving the house during the day.

If you, or someone you know, is using an electric blanket check it regularly for any signs of damage such as visible wires, buzzing sounds or scorch marks. A damaged electric blanket should be replaced immediately and purchased from a trusted retailer. When storing, electric blankets should be treated with care and either rolled up or folded loosely to prevent damage. Never use a damp or wet electric blanket.