Electricity makes life easier for everyone. Switch on a light. Turn on the TV. Turn up the heating. Charge your phone. Cook the dinner.

Houses have more and more electrical appliances. But any electrical appliance connected to a power supply can cause a fire. That means there’s more chance of a fire in your home.

THINK FIRE CAN'T HAPPEN TO YOU? - THINK AGAIN!

Get switched on to safety.

Switch off and unplug appliances like TVs, washing machines and tumble driers that are not designed to be left switched on. It is especially important when you are sleeping, or out of the house. Appliances like fridge-freezers, videos with timers and cordless phones are designed to be left on.
 

Never repair or rejoin cables with insulating tape - always replace the whole cable.

Why does using the right fuse matter?

The fuse in a plug is a safety device that will 'blow' if an electrical appliance develops a fault. That cuts off the electricity to stop the appliance from overheating and causing a fire. If you fit the wrong fuse, it won't 'blow'.

Check the manufacturer's instructions to make sure all your appliances are fitted with the correct fuse. As a general guide to fuses. 

 

3 Amp Fuse	13 Amp Fuse
lamps/bed lights	refrigerators
television/radios	heaters
electric blankets	kettles/toasters
music system/videos	washing machines/driers
clocks/computers	irons/hair driers

What's wrong with using adaptors?

When you use them safely, adaptors let you plug more than one appliance into an electrical socket.

But if you overload the adaptor, it can overload the socket.

- That can overload the main electrical wiring circuit in the house.
- That can make the circuit overheat.
- That can cause a fire.

Always make sure your adaptor is fitted with a fuse and has a kite mark from the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board, BEAB.

Never use more than one adaptor in each socket. Never overload an adaptor. Appliances connected to the adaptor should never use more than 13 amps of electricity in total (equivalent to 3 kilowatts). Check appliance handbooks for details.

Keeping your electric blanket safe.

Blankets don't last for ever. After the guarantee runs out - usually after 3 years - you should have the blanket tested and serviced regularly by the manufacturer. But check the cost. You may find it cheaper to buy a new blanket.

Your new blanket should be approved by BEAB or marked BS EN 60907. It is best if it is fitted with an overheat protection safety system.

Use your blanket safely: