Electricity is Major Cause of UK House fires

This sobering headline should make any householder think twice about taking risks with electricity. Our blog yesterday discussed how to stay safe by using the correct fuses in plugs. Needless to say, its not just plugs that can contribute to unsafe electrical practices.

Here at FulcherEdwards we visit many homes in London who report concerns with their electricity and in many cases there have been alarming discoveries. We are thankful that we were able to rectify the electrical problem before it became a serious issue.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of our findings are the result of DIY electrical work, we mention this a lot in our blogs, however we cannot emphasise enough the potential damage to both people and property unsafe electrical work can cause. Every year in the UK electrical fires cause 50 deaths, 3000 injuries and £100 million damage to private property. Electric cookers and lighting are the biggest causes of electric fires. These shocking statistics are are taken from the Department for Communities and Local Government Fire Statistics of 2008 and certainly makes us wonder why people take such risks with electricity and put their loved ones and property at risk.

So what kind of things do we come across?

Many of the problems we find are to do with cables and wiring. Where DIY wiring has been attempted we often find the incorrect size of cable has been used leaving the householder from risk of fire, live cable and live metallic surfaces. We have seen scorched joists in lofts where cable has become so hot it is literally smouldering the surface. We have seen cable suitable for only indoor use being used outside to connect outside lights. A shower cable that was the wrong size and the shower caught fire whilst in use. A washing machine that was plugged in using an 8 Amp extension cable, it was just lucky that a fault didn't develop which would have lead to metallic areas in the kitchen becoming live.

These are the typical scenarios we at Fulcher Edwards come across on a daily basis.

So what do we recommend you do to keep your home electrically safe?

• Have an EICR(Electrical Installation Condition Report) carried out in your home at least once every 10 years if you are a home owner. If you rent, this would be your landlords responsibility. An EICR is much like an MOT for your car, where many checks are made of your electrical system in your property and recommendations, if there are any, are given at the end of the report.

• Check your sockets regularly. If you find any scorch marks, burning smells or buzzing/fizzing noises when they are in use, stop using them and consult a Part P registered electrician.

• Have additional sockets installed if you are finding you are relying more on the use of extension leads and certainly high powered items such as kettles, toasters and washing machines should have their own socket.

• Turn off all electrical appliances when not in use, particularly when you go to bed.

• Check cable flexes to all electrical appliances before you plug them in. Check the plug is on securely and there is no wear and tear to the cable. Don't use if the cable is damaged.

Fulcher Edwards London electricians specialise in fire safety and provide advice to many home owners, landlords and business owners across London. By taking simple precautions on the use of electrical appliances in your home, you will reduce the risk of an electrical fire occurring.