Tips for reducing the risk of electrical fires at home
As time moves on and lifestyles change, we need to revisit our approach to safety at home. A couple of decades ago the cause of most fires at home may have been deep fat frying or a cigarette. Today, electricity is responsible for a high proportion of accidental fires in homes in the UK, resulting in death and serious injury.
These days we all have many more electrical items at home. A family of four may have a mobile phone each, a pc or tablet each, a couple of TVs as well as games consoles and beauty products such as hair straighteners. This in addition to a whole host of kitchen gadgets from microwaves and juicers to upmarket coffee machines. This is a significant change from the homes of the past when there may have been just one TV, one stereo and a shared desktop computer used by the whole family.
As a result, the sheer volume of electrical items in each home nowadays means that the risk of electrical accidents at home is significantly higher than it used to be.
There are some steps that you can take to reduce the risks:
Be aware of using extension leads and sockets safely, we find that both are commonly overloaded and know this that can pose a fire risk. A quick visual check of your sockets can determine whether they are in generally good condition, if there are signs of damage or excessive wear it is time to replace them. Any unusual noises, crackling or a burning smell is a sure sign that there is a problem.
If you are struggling with having to use extension leads and multi plug adaptors on a regular basis it is time to consider having more sockets installed. Talk to a registered electrician about adding more sockets, there will be a cost involved but it is a worthwhile investment to keep your home and family safe.
Unless you live in a new build home, you should also consider whether your wiring is up to the job. Older houses may have worn or faulty wiring, which can cause electrical fires, so we’d advise having your wiring checked on a regular basis.
When using any electrical items at home treat them with care and respect. Never try to unplug an item by pulling on the cable as this can lead to damage, always grasp the plug itself. If any electrical cables at home are showing signs of wear or damage they should be replaced as soon as possible.
Do not try to carry out any type of repair or maintenance on an electrical item without first unplugging it, there is a very real risk of electric shock.
On a final note, in the interests of the environment, if you are disposing of old or damaged small electrical items, please do not put these in your standard rubbish bin. Many local councils offer a collection and recycling service for electrical goods, if not they can be taken to the nearest electrical recycling centre where they can be disposed of properly with any reusable elements being recycled.
If you need any help or advice regarding electrical safety at home please get in touch , our experienced and fully qualified team would be very happy to help.
