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When it comes to fire safety and electrical fires, we can become very complacent due to a feeling of familiarity. However, overlooking important security issues such as electrical safety can be fatal. Every year, around 70 people are killed and 350,000 injured due to home electrical accidents. Electricity causes almost half of all accidental house fires in the UK; they threaten both your property and your possessions, and possibly your life. The reasons behind these frightening statistics become obvious if you consider the typical, modern lifestyle. We use an array of appliances and gadgets in everyday aspects of our lives including cooking, washing and gardening, and many of these can pose an electrical fire risk. Thankfully, we here at Sparks can provide you with advice that will enable you to avoid the likelihood of an electrical fire in your home. Our tips for keeping on top of electrical safety in your home Ensure you have at least one Residual Current Device (RCD) An RCD is a potentially life-saving device, for it is designed to prevent you from receiving a fatal shock at home (if you were to touch a bare, live wire, for example). It's primary purpose is to turn the electricity off automatically if it detects a fault. This means that an RCD will provide some degree of protection against electrical fires. RCDs provide a higher level of protection than ordinary fuses and circuit breakers. Under UK safety standards almost all sockets in new electrical installations (and new sockets) must be protected by an RCD. There are three main kinds of RCD: fixed, socket-outlet and portable. Fixed RCDs are the most important kind of RCD to have installed in your home. They are placed in the consumer unit (fusebox) and provide protection to individual or groups of circuits. The socket-outlet type has an inbuilt RCD, which offers protection to the person in contact with equipment plugged into the socket, as well as from the lead. Portable RCDs will plug into any standard socket outlet, and you can then plug your appliance into the RCD. Portable RCD types are commonly used for outdoor appliances, such as mowing the lawn or trimming hedges.Buy RCDs at Sparks Have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) periodically An EICR is a periodic inspection report on a property's safety in relation to its electrical wiring . This report has also been called the ‘Landlord Safety Test’ or the ‘Homebuyers Test’. The tests are carried out by qualified electricians. We would highly recommend that you have an EICR inspection carried out every 10 years for your home. The primary purpose of an EICR is to guarantee the safety of the resident and to ensure they are not susceptible to electrical shocks and/or fires. You can have one arranged by clicking on this link. Precautions when using portable heaters Place the heater on a level surface, away from anything that may knock it over. Make sure the heater is at least a metre away from combustible materials, and do not use it to dry your clothes on. Do not leave the heater ON and unattended for an extended period of time. Never power a heater from an extension lead. These leads can become overloaded and start electrical fires. Electrical Safety First (ESF) has a free online ‘Product recall checker’ where you can find if your portable heater (or any other item) has been recalled. Other general tips for preventing the occurrence of electrical fires Ensure that you have conducted an EICR in due time, you are RCD protected and use portable heaters safely; these are some of the crucial steps to take in preventing electrical fires. Here are some other general tips: Don’t overload electrical adaptors by plugging too many appliances into one socket, especially those with a high electrical current rating such as kettles, irons and heaters. Visit this link from ESF to ensure your sockets are safe. Check flexible cables for damage, wear and tear, and see that the plug is fastened securely to the cable. Don’t use the appliance unless both it and its cable are in adequate condition. Don’t store combustible materials, such as clothes, papers or cleaning materials close to your service head (cutout fuse), electricity meter or fuse box. Hand-held electrical appliances, such as hair dryers and straighteners get heated during regular use. Make sure that when you have finished using them, you switch them off, unplug them and store them away safely. Check your sockets regularly – if you see burn marks or they feel hot, get a registered electrician to check if they need repairing or replacing. Make sure that you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your property – if a fire does start, this will give you a chance to get out safely. If you follow these tips, you should have significantly reduced the risk of an accidental electrical fire in your home.Buy Switches and Sockets at Sparks

As people spend more time indoors, it is essential we use household appliances safely and responsibly, so we always need to be reminded of electrical safety at home. In this article, we’ll inform you how to stay safe when dealing with numerous appliances in different areas of your home. Electrical Safety First (ESF) has a great visual checklist to determine if your home appliances are safe, room by room. They also have a visual checks app which is free to download. Electrical Safety at Home, even Across your Home Sockets and Switches Avoid water coming into contact with any electricity by fitting your sockets and switches far away from the sink. The distance should be at least 30 cm (horizontally). Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands. Appliances such as fridges and washing machines that are fitted under worktops should be controlled via a fuse connection unit. If a socket is likely to supply portable electrical equipment outdoors, then you should protect it with an RCD. ESF explains the importance of installing RCDs in this article. We sell a range of RCDs at Sparks Direct, such as the Masterplug from BG Electrical, which is designed for outdoor usage.Electrical Safety when doing DIY RCDs are also important for DIY fanatics. Electrical accidents caused by DIY are prevalent, with 70 people dying and 350,000 injured every year as a result in the UK. Here we have five major rules for home DIY and electrical safety at home: Locate cables in your wall. Do not drill, nail or screw anything into them. Use an RCD - have one fitted into your fuse box. Shut off your mains power and use battery-powered tools. Check that your power tools - and their leads - are in good condition. If you are unsure about anything, get advice from a registered electrician.Buy RCDs at Sparks Electrical Safety for Downlights Poorly installed downlights are one of the most significant causes of fires in UK homes each year. When replacing downlights follow these golden rules: Ensure you read and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure you double-check you have the correct replacements that do not exceed the maximum allowed voltage. If the lamp holder is damaged, don’t fit the downlight but seek advice from an electrician. More information on downlight safety is available here. Electrical Safety for Portable heaters There are three kinds of commonly used portable heaters. They are halogen heaters, fan heaters and oil radiators. Fan heaters and oil radiators pose more of a fire hazard, which can be caused by children and elderly people accidentally knocking them over. Take these precautions when using portable heaters: Place the heater on a level surface, removed from anything that may knock it over. Ensure the heater is at least a metre away from combustible materials, and do not use it to dry your clothes. Never leave the heater on and unattended for an extended period of time. Never power a heater from an extension lead. These leads can become overloaded and start fires. Inspect your heater for damage. If the heater is in a bad condition do not use it. Buy only from recognized manufacturers and retailers. Register your new portable heater with a manufacturer. This way it is easier to get in contact if a safety notice or recall is required. Electrical Safety First has a free online ‘Product recall checker’ where you can find if your portable heater (or any other item) has been recalled.Buy Safe Portable Heaters Electrical safety in your bedroom If a device such as a tablet or phone is left by on the bedding or under a pillow it can dangerously overheat. When your family are charging their devices, they must: Ensure the device is on a hard surface such as a desk or table. Never charge devices under a pillow or other combustible materials. Turn of all their devices before they go to bed. Not use fake or unbranded chargers. Never place liquids close to electrical appliances. Electrical safety in the bathroom The consequences of electric shocks can be most devastating in the bathroom, as wet skin reduces the body’s resistance. It is essential you follow these rules to avoid an accident. Sockets must be fitted at least three meters from the bath or shower. Enclosed lights are preferable for bathroom usage. Look for lights with IP44+ ratings. A ceiling-mounted pull cord is the safest switch type to use in the bathroom. Any electric and gas heaters in a bathroom should be fixed. Electric showers must be supplied via their own circuit, straight from your fuse box. Never bring a mains-powered portable appliance such as hairdryer, heater or radio into the bathroom. This could prove fatal.Buy Safe Mirror Lights Total home safety ESF have extensive articles such as this one on electrical fires, which includes advice on maintaining everything from portable heaters to tumble dryers and washing machines. You can get professional help via an Electrical Installation Conditions Report (EICR). Registered electricians will check if your appliance is safe to use until the next inspection. Alternatively, they may advise on repair work that needs to be completed. Whether you take the DIY approach or get an electrician in, keeping on top of your overall home electrical safety can be difficult. ESF offers you a fantastic source of guidance, providing comprehensive safety advice for every room and appliance in your house. This article was inspired by numerous articles from the Electrical Safety First site.