Electrical Fires: What To Do If You Smell Burning

So, why would your home’s electrical installation start overheating?

Some key causes of electrical fires include:

• Faulty domestic electrical white goods, such as dishwashers, tumble dryers and fridge freezers, are the leading cause of electrical fires, according to Electrical Safety First. Registering your product makes it easy to the manufacturer to get in touch if there is a problem. Check if your appliance is safe to use https://productrecall.campaign.gov.uk/
• Poor wiring and installation can increase the chance of fire, power surges and electrical shocks. For this reason, avoid DIY or amateur electrical work and use an electrician registered with one of the government-approved schemes to carry out any electrical installation work that you need, even minor repairs.
• The bathroom is possibly the most dangerous room when it comes to electrical safety. If water and electricity mix, the results can be deadly. There are special requirements for electrical installations in bathrooms, such as enclosed light fittings and the use of extra low voltage accessories.
• Loose electrical connections and faulty outlets: This problem can generate high temperatures over a small area for a long period of time which can trigger an electrical fire. Make regular checks of plugs and sockets for burn marks.
• Insulation breakdown: If insulation breaks down, sparks can fly - increasing the risk of electrical fires. Never use an appliance with a worn or frayed cord which can send heat to a combustible surface, such as a rug or curtains, and start a fire.
• Excessive current rarely sparks fires today as modern fuse boxes (consumer units) are fitted with residual current devices (RSDs). This life-saving device constantly monitors the electric current flowing through one or more circuits and switches off the electricity automatically if there is a fault, preventing electric shocks. Consider changing your fuse box for one with an RCD if it doesn’t have one. You can also buy plug-in RCDs for use in individual sockets. The addition of arc fault and surge protection devices for modern consumer units, which are specifically built to identify faults before they become a major issue, will also lower the risk to you and your property.

Use a qualified electrician for home improvement projects

Electrical work is among the most dangerous work to undertake in the home. Whether you are building a new extension or fitting a new kitchen or bathroom - changing or adding to the fixed wiring should only ever be tackled by a registered and qualified electrician.

Look for an electrician registered under Part P of the building regulations who is fully qualified to carry out electrical installation in residential properties.

Registered electricians will issue safety certificates for their work to show it meets the UK national standards BS 7671.

Electrical safety checks to prevent fires

Regular inspecting and testing of the wiring and fixed electrical equipment in your home is the best way to ensure it is safe for continued use. Homeowners should have electrical safety checks every ten years or when they move home.

These pages will help you to find a registered electrician able to issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and/or Portable Appliance Testing

Under the recent ‘Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020’, five-yearly electrical safety tests are now compulsory for all privately rented housing in England – bringing requirements in line with Scotland. Landlords should only use a UK Government approved electrical contractor to carry out the inspection and testing.

Electrical Safety First, the consumer safety charity, is calling for the Government to extend mandatory electrical safety checks to owner-occupied properties too.

Working smoke alarms on each floor

Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your property as this gives the best chance of escape if a fire breaks out and call 999 for help. Inspecting and testing of mains-wired smoke alarms is not included in the new ‘Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Sector (England) Regulations 2020’, said Mr Macklin, an omission he finds alarming. The ElectriciansOnCall boss said smoke alarms ought to be inspected and tested to ensure they meet British Standards, are correctly installed and still in date. Smoke alarms need to be changed every 10 years. A small sticker on the alarm should give the expiry date.

If you are looking for help with any electrical issues, you may find some of these services useful: