Electricity plays such an important role in our lives that it’s easy to forget how powerful and dangerous it can be.
Each year, more than half of accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity. Usually, this is the result of misused products or faults.
Even the electrical items you use on a daily basis such as toasters and hair dryers can cause risks if used incorrectly or a manufacturing fault arises.
For this reason, it’s wise to take a few steps to improve electrical safety in the home and reduce the risk of fire:
Make visual checks to your electrical items
Have the electrical installation in your home checked by a registered electrician
Don’t overload electrical adaptors by plugging in too many devices
If using a portable heater, keep it away from flammable materials
Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your property
Take care when carrying out DIY around your home. Almost half of all electric shocks in the home are the result of DIY work
Use kitchen equipment safely
Remember that water and electricity can cause death when combined and take extra caution in the bathroom
If your home has been flooded, there is a strong likelihood that the electrics have been damaged. Seek the help of an electrician
Consider fitting your fusebox with an RCD (Residual Current Device) so electricity will automatically be switched off in the event of a fault