A house fire in a loft in Colchester this last week has again sparked a warning about the dangers of electrical fires in the home.
Luckily the occupants of the house were safely outside when the fire crews arrived, but the fire itself could have been easily prevented.
The fire was caused by an electrical cable that overheated and set fire to books and clothing that were being stored in the loft. Fire services in the UK were called out to an electrical fire every other day in 2012 and many of these cases were simple problems that could be easily rectified by the householders.
So how can you ensure your home is electrically safe?
There are things you can do to minimise the possibility of an electrical house fire. In particular, check old and worn flexes and ensure that appliances are clean, well cared for and in good working order. If in doubt about any appliance it is best not to use it. Appliance misuse is the main cause of electrical fires and the number of these cases has been rising since 2009.
The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has published some useful tips and guidelines on how to make your home electrically safer by highlighting many of the 'blunder' UK households are making that can be easily rectified but can cause devastating damage if a fire breaks out.
The top blunders highlighted by the ESC include
Using the microwave as an additional surface and blocking air vents
Leaving the tumble dryer running unattended or overnight
Blocking air vents by failing to clean behind the fridge/freezer
Overloading electrical adapters
Leaving electrical appliances on while unattended only to be alerted by a burning smell
Despite these alarming statistics, there are ways which you can help yourself and many of them require no money, just a little time.
So what can you do to help yourself?
Carry out a visual check of your electrics – the ESC have got a great Smart phone App that you can use to check your home. Down load it here http://www.esc.org.uk/public/safety-in-the-home/home-safety-app/
Does your home have RCD protection? This life saving device is fitted to most modern consumer units. Even without an RCD, consider using RCD plugs on appliances such as kettles.
Keep combustible materials (such as clothes) away from sources of heat and ensure that the area of electrical intake (normally found in upstairs cupboards is clear.
If you've not had a home Electrical Safety Inspection carried out within the last 10 years and you own your home, it will be worth having an electrician to come and carry one out on your property. It will be your peace of mind that your home is electrically safe and checks have been made to ensure there is no cable deterioration
By checking basic electrical safety features in your home, you will be avoiding scenarios such as the house fire we have mentioned in this article.
Source: http://www.esc.org.uk/public/safety-in-the-home/