Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 12/01/2012 11:05

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Kills campaign are warning people not to let electrical failures set their world alight as part of Electrical Fire Safety Week (23 to 29 January).

In 2011, a third of all accidental house fires in Cornwall were caused by faulty or misused electrical equipment.

From faulty fridges and abandoned irons to dodgy plugs and wiring, electrical equipment can be an unnoticed fire hazard in the home.

But the good news is there are steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe, said Crew Manager Mark Pratten from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s Prevention Team.

He added: “Last year 91 house fires were the result of an electrical fault or misused equipment. One of the things you can do to help reduce your risk of joining this number is to check that the electrical equipment you use every day is in good shape and operated properly.

“Most electrical fires start in the kitchen, so be extra careful with cooking equipment. Fire in the home can have devastating impact, but many of these fires are preventable.

“And as well as making sure your electrical equipment is up to the job, make sure you have a working smoke detector in your home. Smoke detectors will pick up traces of smoke before you do, giving you vital time to escape to safety.”

Other tips on electrical safety advice from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service include;

don’t overload plug sockets;
regularly check for worn or frayed wires;
unplug appliances when not in use;
keep appliances clean and in good working order;
consider using an RCD – Residual Current Device - which works like a circuit breaker to protect against electric shocks and reduces the risk of electrical fires;
unplug electric blankets before you go to bed, unless it has a thermostat for safe use throughout the night, and;
keep portable heaters clear from flammable materials, such as curtains and furniture, and never use them to dry clothes.

For more information on staying safe at home, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service offer free Home Fire Safety Packs, which include a DVD, checklist and leaflets.

To request a Home Fire Safety Pack, or for more information on fire safety visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire or call 0800 358 1999.