Electricity
Electricity is often overlooked as a possible fire hazard. Maybe this is because there is no flame. However some 8,000 fires in the home are reported each year as being caused by electrical faults, accidents or by misuse of electrical appliances and equipment. The following advice will help to prevent a fire in your home due to electricity.
Plugs And Flexes
- Some electrical appliances are designed to be left on all 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 the plug carefully, don't remove them by pulling the flex.
- Make sure that the outer sheath of the flex is fastened under the plug clamp.
- Never run flex under carpets, because any damage caused to the flex will go unseen.
- Use a three pin plug which conforms to British Standard 1363 and carries the 'Kitemark'.
- Ensure the plug is fitted with a fuse that conforms to the relevant British Standard 1362.
Fuses
Use correct fuse rating for appliances. Fuses are designed to 'blow' in the event of a fault and therefore protect the appliance from damage. By law all appliances must come with a fitted plug and therefore should have the correct fuse already attached but if in doubt, the following guide may help.
Never use a fuse of a higher rating than is necessary. Check the appliance rating plate (normally found on the rear of the appliance) or the specification/manufacturer's instructions book to ascertain the wattage of the appliance and fit the correct fuse as follows:
- Appliances up to 700 Watts - 3 Amp
- Appliances between 700 and 1000 - 5 Amp
- Appliances over 1000 Watts - 13 Amp
Wiring
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.
- Buy a socket tester to ensure your sockets are functioning properly.
- You should ask a qualified electrician to check your wiring if you see any of the danger signs.
Regular checks of the wiring in your home will help prevent these danger signs occurring. Contact either your local electricity board or an electrician on the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting.
Adaptors
Avoid multi-way adapters.
Overloading the socket by using several adapter into the one socket can cause it to overheat and catch fire. Overloading occur where more than 3000 watts of power are being drawn from the socket. The amount of power an appliance uses will either be on the rear of the appliance or contained within the appliance specification/manufacturer's instructions book. To check how many watts you are drawing, simply add up all the wattage ratings for each appliance you have plugged into the socket.
Remember "One appliance, One socket" is the safest thing to do.
Extension Cables
Trailing leads should be fitted with a fuse and conform to British Standard 1363\A. If using an extension cable, check the manufacturer's instructions as you may have to uncoil all the cable to prevent the electric cable overheating inside the cable drum.