This year, Electrical Fire Safety week runs from 23rd to 29th January 2012.
With many fires in the home starting through lack of awareness, Electrical Fire Safety Week is an ideal time for the electrical industry to focus on these important issues, giving householders the opportunity to spot some easily remedied mistakes they have in their homes.
Fire Safety week is not about pointing fingers and laying the blame, its quite the opposite. Electrical Fire Safety week is designed to save lives and prevent Electrical Fires in the home.
On average over 2500 people each year are injured or killed nationally by electrical fires in the home. Electricity is a major cause of fire in the home whether by accident or by electrical faults. Follow these simple starting points to help keep you safe:
Do
Check that plugs and leads are safe. If you see loose wires, scorch marks or other damage, get a new plug and lead. Ask someone straight away if you are not sure or need help.
The fire service recommend only put 1 plug in each wall socket.
Unplug things like toasters, lamps and hair dryers when you are not using them. If you leave them plugged in they could start a fire.
Unplug your electric blanket before you go to bed. When you are not using it, keep it flat or rolled up, not folded.
Put heaters in a safe place where they will not be knocked over, like against a wall.
Don't
Do not put leads under carpets or mats. This can start a fire and you cannot see if the lead is damaged.
Do not dry clothes on a heater.
Do not put heaters near curtains or furniture.
Do not put lamps near curtains.
Check items such as laptops, games consoles, hair straighteners, electric blankets and heaters are being used correctly according to manufacturers instructions and do not overload sockets in order to use them. Remember to switch off when not in use. This will also help to save you money on your electricity bill too!
The best way of ensuring your home is safe is to go through each room and identify the electrical hazards. The Electrical Safety Council has produced a Smartphone App which takes you through a quick, visual check of your home to ensure it’s electrically safe. The App highlights potential dangers in each room and explains how to resolve simple, non-technical problems. Where more serious electrical issues are flagged, people are advised to use a registered electrician. You can download the App here: http://www.esc.org.uk/public/news-and-campaigns/campaigns/are-you-e-aware/
To protect yourself against electric shock in your home, particularly if you were to come across and touch a bare wire, the Electrical Safety Council recommend fitting an RCD in your home. An RCD (residual current device) is a life-saving device which is designed to prevent you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. It provides a level of protection that ordinary fuses or circuit-breakers cannot provide. RCD protection is particularly important when using electrical equipment outdoors.
Don’t underestimate the fire risk from electricity. Just because there’s no flame doesn’t mean there’s no risk. Electric wires don’t even need to touch anything for a spark to jump and a fire to start.
Don't take any chances with electricity if you are in any doubt, consult a qualified electrician. You can find your local electrician by searching in our directory www.mylocalelectrician.co.uk/directory
