Most emergency electricians discovered that more than 50% of the domestic fire in the UK is caused by electrical appliances. From a faulty switch to overloading which causes the fuse to blow up. As much as they’ve become a common occurrence, a vast majority of the electrical faults can be prevented or even detected on time.
Electrical fire does a lot more than blow up switches. It damages valuable possessions that cost thousands of dollars or more. If you’ve just moved into a new property, there are specific measures you need to take to prevent this catastrophe from happening in the nearest future. Some of which includes:
Inspect electrical outlets
Whether you just moved into a new property or you’re already an occupant, it’s important to carry out periodic inspection of your electrical outlets. Inspecting these outlets help you nick every issue early in the bud, thereby preventing damages that might incur a lot of expenses. You don’t have to hire a professional to carry out such an inspection.
You simply have to pay attention to the physical appearance of these outlets. Some of the things to watch out for includes twisted cables, overloaded sockets, as well as the positioning of your electrical maintenance plan cords. Do they pose any risk of fire? Or are they located in areas where they might cause an accidental shock?
Another thing to watch out for during this inspection is the condition of your wires. Watch out for exposed wires and gaps between power outlets and where they’re installed. If you notice any naked wire, try to get them sealed rather than walking off.
Keep flammable materials away from the power outlet
Homeowners need to be careful about the location of some flammable items relative to the location of electrical fixtures. It’s best practice not to store your clothes or materials like books closer to any fuse box or electric metre, particularly if the electrical components are located below your staircase.
Also, if you will be using materials like a water heater, keep them off your curtain as well as furniture and never try to pick them up with a wet hand. We recommend you turn off every electrical feature when not in use and switch off your light bulb and socket when going out of the house.
It’s always a risk to plug in your phone, torchlight, or laptop into a socket when you’re out of the house. Your electrical system might misbehave behind your back.
Don’t overload your cables
When cables are overloaded, they carry too much electricity than what’s required. It’s no surprise that loaded cable or fuse happens to be the most common cause of electrical fire in most homes. When cables are overloaded, they generate a lot of heat which causes the wiring system to heat up and result to fire.
Fortunately, most wiring system comes with a circuit breaker which turns the Power system in the house off when the circuit becomes overloaded. There are scenarios where the circuit breaker develops fault without the owner knowing.
To prevent cable overload, ensure you do not connect more than two appliances to a power outlet. Also, find an Independent socket for heavy machines that consume a minimum of 1,000 watts of electricity. This includes air conditioners, freezers, and microwaves. Never exceed 1,500 watts for each power outlet.
Stay safe with electrical appliances
There are certain precautions to take to minimise the risk of fire when using some home appliances. For instance, we recommend you go for a brand new appliance rather than used ones. With used appliances, it’s difficult to tell the reason the former owner is selling it out.
Also, don’t leave heavy machines such as your dishwasher, or washing machine on overnight. If you also notice that your appliances are beginning to make a strange noise, you should reach out to a repairer to come and check it out.
You should also place some items away from direct sunlight. Your freezer should never be installed close to a cooker as this will increase its normal working temperature. This will, therefore influence the machine to malfunction. Periodic maintenance of these machines is also needed to minimise dust buildup on electrical parts.
Know when its time to rewire
Rewiring a house is a complex job that requires the expertise of a certified electrician in London. Before carrying out a rewire, request for an all-round inspection by a professional. This is important if you moved into a rental apartment where several components look outdated. The general rule of thumb is to carry out a full rewiring for electrical systems over 30 years.
Conclusion
Many houses in the UK have outdated wiring which spans back to over 30 years ago. If you need to hire a certified electrician in London to come and carry out inspection, count on our team of experts at Electric Works London. This simple act will save you from impending fire outages and several electrical dangers.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
