Electrical Fire Safety Week: 24th-30th January 2011
Overloaded sockets and overheated appliances are the watchwords this week as Electrical Fire Safety Week gets underway for the first time, raising awareness of one of the biggest causes of accidental house fires in the country.
Electrical appliances have become a staple of modern life – from fridges and phones to toasters or the TV, it’s hard to think of how we’d get by without a few electrically-powered essentials. And with the recent cold weather, many sockets could still be loaded with heaters and electric blankets.
Nationally, accidental electrical fires (recorded in 2007) in the home resulted in 40 deaths across the country and over 60 percent of all accidental house fires were caused by electrical equipment. In light of this, the Fire Kills campaign and Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces with the Electrical Safety Council to highlight key fire safety messages.
In the last year there have been 83 accidental dwelling fires in Warwickshire, a number of which were caused by faulty or misused electrical appliances. The Service is working hard to bring this number down. But every individual can take steps to help them by checking the equipment they use everyday is safe.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Gary Phillips said:
“Fire in the home can be devastating, but many of these fires are preventable. Over half of all accidental fires begin with an electrical appliance, so it’s really important that everyone makes sure that their electrics are in good working order and are used properly. The majority of electrical fires start in the kitchen, so be extra careful when using cooking appliances. By following some simple steps, you can help keep you and your loved ones safe from fire.”
* Don’t overload plug sockets
* Regularly check for worn or frayed wires
* Unplug appliances when not in use
* Keep appliances clean and in good working order
* Consider using a Residual Current Device (a device which protects against electric shocks and reduces the risk of electrical fires)
The Electrical Safety Council advise that heaters should be kept clear from curtains and furniture and should never be used for drying clothes, while your electric blanket should be unplugged before you go to bed, unless it has a thermostat for safe all-night use.
To help keep you and your family safe from fire, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue provide free home fire safety checks and, where necessary, install free smoke alarms. For further information please call 01926 466282 or log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue