Don’t create potential hazards by overloading socket-outlets, and never ignore warning signs like burning smells, sounds or arcing (buzzing or crackling), fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping – electrical accidents are most likely to occur when equipment is damaged or misused. Failure to correct the problem could have devastating effects.

When did you last check the condition and safety of your plugs, socket outlets and flexes?

Damaged plugs, socket-outlets and flexible cables can cause electric shocks, burns and fire. Follow these simple rules to avoid problems.

• Remove plugs from the socket outlet carefully. Pulling out a plug by the cable puts a strain on the terminations in the plug, and could damage the contact between the plug and socket outlet This could result in the plug overheating, its wires becoming loose or an electric shock (if the earth wire is disconnected).
• Check the plug and socket outlet for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling), fuses blowing, circuit breakers tripping or excessive heat.
• Use plugs with the British Standard safety mark; they have live and neutral pins with insulating sleeves that enable safer insertion and withdrawal, at present electrical equipment comes fitted with a plug.
• Check the shutter mechanism in a socket outlet closes when removing a plug.
• Always replace damaged cables without a delay. Touching exposed live conductors may result in an electric shock.

Please refer to the Fire Brigades Fire Prevention Handbook.

Obvious hazards

Changing a belt on the vacuum cleaners whilst it’s still plugged in.

Always isolate an appliance by unplugging it before you attempt any maintenance. You risk injury from electric shock, burns and mechanical movement if you tackle maintenance before appliances are unplugged and have cooled down.

Drying clothes on an electric heater, with water dripping on to live parts.

This is particularly hazardous, and could cause an electric shock or fire. Many electrical appliances, such as heaters, have ventilation slots to prevent overheating. If these slots are covered up, the appliance could overheat and catch fire, or if water drips in, there is a risk of electric shock.

Our hallway is dark, should I change the 60 Watt bulb to a l00 Watt bulb?

Using a bulb with a higher wattage than allowed by the light fitting can cause over- heating . In exceptional circumstances the lampshade or lamp holder may overheat and start a fire. Try using a low energy compact fluorescent lamp, which can last around eight times longer than a normal tungsten lamp, can run cooler, and can provide as much light while saving on electricity.

Hanging Pictures

Never drill holes or fix nails in walls or partitions without knowing what is hidden behind them. Walls and partitions conceal electrical cables and gas and water pipes. Penetrating a live cable is extremely dangerous, and could cause electric shocks, burns or even fire. A cable and metal detector will help identify the presence of concealed cables and metal pipes.

In modern electrical installations, cables are normally run in a straight line, either horizontally or vertically, to an accessory such as a switch or socket outlet. Cables may also run in a zone within 150mm from the top of the wall or partition or in a zone within 150mm of an angle formed by adjoining walls or partitions.

Trailing the cable under the carpet or rug to keep it out of the way

Flexible cables trailed under carpets, rugs or across walkways are not only a major trip hazard, but a potential fire risk. Repeated stretching and treading on the cable may damage insulation.

Adaptors and extensions

An average room in the house has four socket outlets. Although this is adequate for most purposes, our increased use of computers, games consoles and other appliances had led to the socket outlets in an average room powering around eight different pieces of equipment at any one time. Extension leads and adaptors often provide a quick and easy solution but, in reality, such leads and adaptors are often misused, and can present a very real danger. In extreme cases they can overheat, which can lead to a fire.

• Never use adaptors plugged into other adaptors, and check that the adaptor complies with British Standards
• Do not overload adaptors, particularly with high-rated appliances such as kettles, irons, and heaters. (Low-rated appliances include radios, televisions, computers and high-fi equipment