Electrical fires 2
Safety in the home
Electrical fires are the most common causes of accidents and death in the home and most of these accidents and fires can be easily avoided with quick checks, and knowing. If you understand the basics of electricity and domestic wiring, you can avoid the causes of almost all electrical fires in your home. It may save your life, your children’s lives and your property.
Danger Times
Current statistics show that December is the most dangerous month in terms of electrical accidents and fires. The weather is cold and days are short, so more heating and lighting appliances are used around the home. Quite often extension leads; Christmas lights, extra heaters etc. are brought out of storage after 11months packed away.
Danger Signs
Most electrical fires are not usually instantaneous; their usually clues that there is something wrong. For a fire you need fuel, oxygen and heat. Heat is something that can be found by touch or smell. If in doubt consult with a competent person.
Bad Wiring
Frayed wiring where the lead enters the plug, or exposed wires are both dangerous, and the plug should be re-wired immediately. Either of these two problems can cause the earth connection to come loose, leaving the plug 'live' to the touch, and potentially fatal.
Overloading sockets
Plugging numerous appliances in to a single socket by means of multi way adaptors or multi blocks can lead to a gradual heat build up and the start of a fire. This is important when you are trying to use high current demand appliances ie. Kettle, washing machine etc
Selecting the correct fuse
A fuses job is to protect people from getting an electric shock also it protects the appliance and flex from causing a fire.
The IEE recommend that;
a) Appliances under 700w are protected by a 3A fuse
b) Appliances over 700w are protected by a 13A fuse
Do not replace a fuse with a bigger one this can cause a fire. Remember it’s there for a reason.
Extension leads
Extension leads should never be run under carpets or across floors. They could create a trip hazard or get walked on which can increase the risk of an electric fire,
Lamps
Think about your carbon footprint and energy costs. If you use a lamp with to high a rating there will be gradual breaking down of any cables that are in close proximity to the heat source.
If you have a fire
If you can isolate the power then you will remove the heat source which may put the fire out. If the fire is established you need to get everyone out of the home and phone the fire brigade. Prevention is always the best option so get your portable appliances checked by a competent person and have your wiring checked, it should comply with BS 7671 and the inspection and testing should be carried out by a competent person
Date Created 2010-07-20 09:33:36.0
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