How clean is your kitchen?

How clean is your kitchen was one of the key messages given out over the Electrical Fire Safety week which took place on the 23^rd to 27^th September 2013.

With electrical fires remaining one of the biggest cause of house fires in recent years, the 2013 Electrical Fire Safety Week campaign, concentrated on raising awareness of electrical fires in the home and how easily they can start.

The kitchen is the culprit

It may come as no surprise to learn that the biggest cause of electrical fire in the home is in the kitchen, however it is not careless use of chip pans any longer that bring the fire brigade to your home, it is the general dirt and clutter found within the kitchen that is 'sparking' the fire (excuse the pun!)

Now we're not suggesting that your home is dirty (we know that would be terribly rude!) however, there are several 'hidden dangers' within all kitchens that could be causing an electrical fire risk without even realising. Keeping a kitchen electrically safe goes a bit further than washing the dishes and wiping the sides down everyday.

No one likes the idea of more housework (especially us here at Fulcher Edwards!) however with literally millions of grime fires which start in UK kitchens, it might be worth checking our check list to ensure that you are not unwittingly placing yourself at risk of fire by making a simple error.

How are the fires starting?

The fires are being fuelled by the build up of dust and grime that lies undetected around key appliances in the kitchen such as cookers and fridge freezers. Can you remember when you last cleaned behind your fridge freezer and underneath your oven? You are not alone if you can't remember, and many people are blaming a busy lifestyle for overlooking additional cleaning tasks within the home. According to a survey carried out by the Electrical Safety Council, two fifths of survey respondents said they struggled to keep their house clean and tidy particularly if they had young children of less than 5 years old.

Why are kitchens the focus of the campaign?

The kitchen is the main cause of electrical fires in the home. In 2012, more than half of all house fires were caused by kitchen appliances (21,036 out of 37,061.) Electricity is also responsible for the cause of 350,000 serious injuries each year so it is really important to take the time to clean around essential areas in your kitchen to avoid becoming a statistic!

The Fulcher Edwards definitive 'stay safe' check list

No one likes the idea of spending half their weekend cleaning....but with the weather turning chillier it will be time well spent staying warm, turning up the volume on the radio and going on a cleaning spree in your kitchen.

• Oven
  Focus on your oven first – do you have a build up of grime? This can heat up and ignite. Don't forget to clean the outside and underneath your oven. Grime can heat up and catch fire.

• Fridge/Freezer
  Next take a look behind your fridge freezer (or fridge and freezer) you will see a build up of dust if you haven't cleaned there recently. Allowing too much of this dust to build up can ignite a fire without you realising – you could be asleep in bed at night or out at work. Don't always assume you will be around to see it. If you are like us, you will probably keep all manner of paperwork on the top and this could also fall down the back too. Keep it clean and prevent the worry. Also carry out a defrost if you haven’t done one for a while.

• Microwave
  Are you guilty of storing paperwork on the top of your microwave or tea towels, or spice pots etc? Doing so can block up essential vents that your microwave needs in order to operate safely. This means that a fire could start when you are heating up a quick lunch in your microwave or at the end of a long tiring day. Just what you won't need! Keep vents free and don't be tempted to use your microwave as a storage area.

• Toaster
  Have you cleared out the crumb tray recently? Easy to overlook we know! Crumbs, dust and grime can easily collect in a toaster and will heat up with your bread as it toasts! Too much of a build up and you will end up with more than just burnt toast.

• Tea Towels
  These should have a designated storage area such as hooks in the kitchen. Don't be tempted to hang them on oven handles, on the microwave or the fryer, It is all too easy to forget to remove them and they are great sources of ignition. Many fires are caused by flammable objects left near to hobs such as cloths, oven gloves, plastic bags and packaging. Always keep flammable objects away from heat sources.

Other things to check for

• Plugs and sockets
  Ensure these are not overloaded as this can cause overheating. If you need more electrical sockets in your kitchen, we recommend calling an NICEIC electrician in London who would be happy to assist. In recent years, the need for additional electrical sockets in kitchens has grown in order to satisfy the need for the growing number of kitchen gadgets available nowadays!

• A working smoke alarm
  Simply having a smoke alarm or 2 in your home does not mean you are safe. You need to ensure your smoke alarms are tested on a weekly basis to ensure they are working. Although many now have a 10 year battery life or are mains powered, you should not just rely on that alone. Always test using the test button and ensure you can hear the audible sound. Many people are testing their fire alarms on a Tuesday thanks to an on going campaign known as 'test it Tuesday'.

You should also ensure the vents remain free of dust to ensure they are working as they should. If you have any concerns about your fire alarm, contact an electrician who deals with fire alarm maintenance in London.

How often should I have a deep cleaning session?

Don't worry, we're not suggesting you know give up every weekend to your kitchen, in fact the Electrical Safety Council says that doing a thorough deep clean of your kitchen once a year is sufficient. It is important though that old habits don't return and you keep all vents free from clutter.

We think it's a great and satisfying way of having a good pre Christmas clean up – crickey did we just mention that word?!