Invisible to the eye and often taken for granted, electricity is something few of us would like to be without in our lives. Yet, as familiar as it is to us in our daily routines, the dangers it poses are not as well recognised. Fires caused by faulty electrical equipment or misuse of appliances are common. In the UK there are around 12,000 electrical fires every year - incidents that result in around 20-25 fatalities a year and some 600 injuries. Even something as simple as an overloaded multi-plug - sometimes referred to as a multi-way - or adaptor can cause a fire. By taking time to assess electrical fire risks in your home or rental property however, you can stack the odds in your favour of staying off those electrical fire statistics charts!
Looking for risk
The first step in minimising your risk of electrical fires at your property is to understand the most common causes of such fires. The number-one electrical fire originator in the home is faulty or loose wiring. Electrical systems tend to deteriorate over time and with use; think of the many times electricity plugs are yanked out from the wall socket, by accident or with intent. Cables may become worn and connections may work themselves loose as wires become brittle. If the wiring in your property is older than 10-15 years it is a good idea to have it checked.
Drawing too much current into sockets and multiplugs can cause fires too - especially if plugs have loose wires or contain fuses with inappropriate Amp ratings (Amp is an abbreviation for "Ampere", the unit of electrical current). A plug fitted with a higher amperage than the Electrical Circuit is designed for can overload, causing the wire to overheat and physically melt the wire, leading to a fire. As a rough guide, an electrical circuit using 1,000 watts ("watt" (symbol: 'W'), a Unit of Power) should have a fuse of 4 Amps fitted to it. Advancements in fuse design over the years means that if the correct fuse is used it will act very efficiently in breaking the current before the plug or socket overheats.
Minimising the risk of fire
Once aware of the risks it is much easier to manage them in a way that dramatically reduces the chances of you suffering an electrical fire. Where risks are identified action is required - and the number one action is to have equipment and electrical wiring inspected at regular intervals. As a guide, The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) recommends that all domestic electrical installations should be professionally inspected at least every ten years. They also suggest that wiring throughout the property be examined and upgraded to prevent degraded wires from starting a fire.
Electrical appliances should be inspected too using a PAT testing company. How often the inspection takes place depends upon how often the equipment is used. Electric blankets for instance should be serviced once every three years.
Additionally, for all new electrical installations made in homes and rental properties, it is imperative that the work carried out complies with the new Part-P electrical regulations.
Other actions you should take to minimise the risk of an electrical fire include:
- Keeping electrical appliance cables uncovered (i.e. don't run them under the carpet)
- When using an extension cable do uncoil it to prevent overheating
- Don't put a high wattage bulb into a light fitting designed for lower wattage bulbs
- Switch off electrical appliances when not using them
- Keep electrical sockets and appliances away from moisture sources
Finally, ALWAYS have smoke alarms installed in your property and TEST them weekly to ensure that they work!
Remember, if your electric doorbell is defective you and call an electrician for a repair, don't expect him to 'know' this; give him your contact telephone number just in case...
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