How to prevent electrical fires at home

Whether through faulty wiring, damage through wear and tear or simply an accident at home - electrical fires need to be considered a high risk. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you understand the dangers and help you prevent electrical fires at home.

What causes an electrical fire?

Electrical fires can occur for a number of reasons that can compromise the safety of residential, commercial or industrial buildings. This is due to their potential to rapidly spread and cause extensive damage.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of electrical fires.

Damaged wiring

Over time, electrical wires can become worn, frayed or loose which can cause wiring to overheat and slowly burn away.

Appliance malfunctions

Faulty or poorly maintained electrical appliances and equipment can result in a fire.

Devices that draw significant amounts of power, such as kitchen appliances, heating and air conditioning units, or other big devices can be a bigger risk when not looked after properly.

Circuit overload

If you plug too many devices into a single circuit you can overload the circuit. This can mean you exceed the circuit's capacity and generate high amounts of heat and ignite nearby combustible materials.

Poorly installed extension cords and power strips

Replacing permanent wiring with poorly installed extension cords, or by connecting multiple appliances to a single power strip can result in a circuit overload and create a fire hazard.

Faulty outlets and switches

If you’ve got loose connections, damaged components, frayed cords or incorrect wiring - this can cause overheating and trigger fires.

Defective lighting fixtures

Faulty light bulbs, lamps or other light fittings can give out excess heat, which can result in a fire. Using bulbs that go over the recommended wattage that the appliance needs can increase the risk of this.

Close heat sources

Fires can occur if faulty wires or electrical tools are situated near combustible materials.

Malfunctions within electrical systems

Electrical systems can experience short circuits, electrical arcs and other faults that can result in electrical fires.

How to prevent electrical fires

We have 9 pointers from our Home Experts to help you avoid an electrical fire at home:

1. Ask a qualified electrician to check your home for potential electrical hazards.
2. Always use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage for the fixture or lamp.
3. Install child precautions when children are present to prevent accidental electrocution.
4. Never use extension cords with heating units or air conditioning. They should only be used temporarily.
5. Do not overload the outlets. If additional circuits are necessary, consult an electrician.
6. Take action if you notice any warning signs of electrical failure. This includes flickering lights, buzzing sounds from the electrical system, and circuit breakers that often trip or fuses that frequently blow.
7. Inspect electrical devices periodically to determine if there’s wear or fraying of the wires. Don’t use devices that show these signs.
8. Contact an electrician if you smell anything burning or see smoke coming from an appliance, cord or plug, or if you see an outlet that is discoloured.
9. Only use portable space heaters with a safety mechanism that shuts them off if they tip over. Don’t leave them on overnight or place them next to combustible materials.

When to call the emergency services for an electrical fire

Electrical fires can be put out with a Class C fire extinguisher so it’s always useful to have one in the home.

If you’re unable to, or don’t feel comfortable safely putting out an electrical fire, then you should call the emergency services on 999 immediately.

Obviously, all circumstances are different, and the best way to deal with a situation can vary depending on what’s happened. If you have any doubt at all then we recommend that you call a professional.

Firefighters are fully trained and equipped to deal with emergencies like this safely. Where possible you should disconnect the electricity before they arrive, if it’s safe to do so. If not then you should evacuate your home immediately.

Don’t let electrical problems catch you off guard

Electrical emergencies can occur at home at any time. You can avoid being caught out by adding electrical cover to help protect your home and add peace of mind,

Also, if you experience an electrical incident that requires a repair, then please use our one-off repairs service. One of our Home Experts can get you up and running again as quickly as possible.