Electrical Safety Leads to Fire Safety

Electricity is often overlooked as a possible fire hazard. Maybe this is because there is no flame, however, some 28,000 fires in the home are reported each year as being caused by electrical faults.

Over 2,500 people are killed or injured as a result of electrical fires every year

Plugs and Flexes :

Some electrical appliances are designed to stay on all of the time. Check the manufacturer's instructions or if you are unsure, with the shop where you bought it.

All other electrical appliances should be switched off and unplugged when not in use.

REMOVE plugs carefully, don't remove them by pulling the flex.

Use a three pin plug which conforms to the British Standard and carries a kitemark.

Overloading the socket by using several adapters into the one socket can cause it to overheat and catch fire. Use a good quality adapter and ensure it has the correct fuse. When buying new equipment look out for the BEAB Mark of Safety. This means that it has been tested and approved by the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board.

Learn the wiring colours and make sure you follow them when fitting the plug. Always use the correct fuse for the equipment you are using and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Always make sure that saucepans are in a safe position on the cooker. Handles should not stick out over the edge of the cooker, where they can be knocked over, or left within reach of children. Make sure the handles are not over a hot ring or burner. Flexes from electrical equipment, such as kettles and toasters, should be kept well away from the cooker and tea towels should never be dried over the cooker.

Look out for warning signs of dangerous wiring:

Hot plugs and sockets
Fuses that blow for no obvious reason
Lights flickering
Brown scorch marks on sockets and plugs

You should ask your electricity board to check your wiring if you see any of the danger signs. Regular checks of the wiring in your home should help prevent these danger signs occurring.

Contact either your local electricity board or an electrician on the roll of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting.

Make sure you don't sit too close to the heater to keep warm. You could easily set light to your clothes or your chair, particularly if you fall asleep. Heaters should always stand in a safe place where they can't be knocked over and where they can't be tripped over. They should be kept well away from furniture and soft furnishings, such as curtains and cushions. Do not position heaters where objects may fall onto them. Portable heaters should never be placed close to beds or used to dry clothes.

As with open fires, make sure that all heaters are correctly guarded. If you have young children at home, make sure you use an all-enclosed guard with your heater as well.

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Information Provider Last Updated Friday October 5, 2001 4:14 PM