Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has pledged its support for Electrical Fire Safety Week - Monday, 23 to Sunday, 29 November 2020.
The week will see organisations from across the UK, work together to encourage consumers to purchase and use genuine electrical products correctly and ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
Throughout the week, practical advice will be published on Twitter and Facebook to raise awareness.
Jon Temple, Head of Protection and Prevention - the teams that support businesses and residents, said: “Due to a second lockdown period, large numbers of people are working from home and may not be aware of unnecessary risks due to unsafe electrical practices such as overloading sockets, ‘daisy-chaining’ - the practice of plugging multiple extension leads together - and charging devices on beds or purchasing fake or poor quality equipment.”
Over half of fires start in the kitchen due to cooking appliances and white goods, the services advises that; “It is essential that people are aware of the dangers that faulty, or fake electrical appliances can cause.”
Stay safe at home this Electrical Fire Safety Week by following these top tips:
- Register your white goods – it could save your life if a product is recalled for safety reasons.
- Always check the label, make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them. Look out for electrical fake goods!
- Don’t charge electrical items on beds. Always charge on a hard, flat, non-flammable surface.
- Be mindful of cables, they can present a trip hazard to you and others in your home
- Don’t « daisy chain » extension leads. If your cable does not reach don’t plug it into another adaptor. Move your workspace closer to the socket or use a longer lead.
- Be mindful at lunchtime. With many of us cooking lunch at home for the time being it’s important not to get distracted by emails or work calls that may result in the hob being left on, unattended.
- Don't overload plug sockets - An extension lead, or adaptor will have a limit to how many amps it can take so, to help reduce the risk of fire, be careful not to overload them.
- Regularly check for frayed or worn cables and wires - Check to see if the cable is fastened securely to the plug and check the socket for scorch marks.
- Unplug appliances when not in use - This helps to reduce the risk of fire. Unplug appliances when you go to bed or when you go out unless they are designed to be left on, like fridges and freezers.
- Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order - Look out for fuses that blow, circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reason and flickering lights to prevent them triggering a fire.
For more information about electrical safety or how a home Safe and Well visit might be able to help, call 01743 260200
