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, accidents or by misuse of electrical equipment.

This page looks at the main areas of electrical hazard in your home and explains how you can stop fire starting.

Over 25,000 people are killed or injured as a result of electrical fires every year.

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 plugs carefully, do not remove them by the flex.

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

Overloading the socket by using several adaptors into the one socket can cause it to overheat and catch fire. Use a good quality adaptor 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.

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 OCCURING. CONTACT EITHER YOUR ELECTRICITY BOARD OR AN ELECTRICIAN ON THE ROLL OF THE NATIONAL INSPECTION COUNCIL FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONTRACTING

Learn the wiring colours (see diagram), and make sure you follow them when fitting a plug.

ALWAYS use the correct fuse for the equipment you are using and follow the manufacturers instructions

ELECTRIC BLANKETS

Many fires and deaths are due to blankets being left accidently switched on. As with all electrical equipment, it is important that you follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Check the instructions to see if you should switch off your blanket when you get into bed.
Underblankets should always be tied to the bed and be switched off before you get into bed.
All electric blankets should be kept dry and flat and should be serviced every two to three years. The shop where you bought it can tell you about servicing arrangements.
When buying an electric blanket make sure it conforms to the British standard and carries the kitemark. This will be shown on the label.

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 away well away from furiniture 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.

This document was created by DAVE WALL , ex - RED WATCH, ASCOT DRIVE FIRE STATION.