Electrical safety

There are particular danger signs to look out for on many of the electrical items you may have around your home.

Find out what to check for to make sure your appliances don’t put you, your family or housemates at risk from fire.

If you think something needs fixing or changing, do it immediately.

Follow the guidelines below to make sure your electrical items are safe to use.

Plugs, sockets and cables

For plugs and sockets, keep an eye out for the following:

Hot plugs or sockets, scorch marks, fuses that often blow, or flickering lights – they are all are signs of loose wiring or other electrical problems
Badly wired plugs – any coloured wires sticking out could come loose and debris could also get into the plug
Overloaded sockets – plugging too many electrical appliances into one socket can lead to overheating

The risks with cables and leads include:

Getting frayed and damaged – make sure the outer covering of all power leads is in good condition and replace if necessary
Being badly positioned – they shouldn’t be anywhere that they could be tripped over, or near water, cookers or other sources of heat
Running them under rugs or carpets where they can wear through without anyone noticing – position them elsewhere

Plugs, sockets and cables also need to be used correctly, you should:

Make sure you can’t see any coloured wires between the plug and the power lead – change the plug properly
Make sure the wires are held firmly in place inside the plug
Use sockets safely – it’s better to use a bar adaptor (multi board) on a lead than a block adaptor
Only use one adaptor per socket – don’t plug one adaptor into another and try to keep to one plug per socket

Appliances

Electrical appliances, especially ones that run at high speeds and contain motors, like washing machines, should be serviced once a year by a qualified electrician. You should never:

Get electrical appliances wet – this includes plugs and sockets, so don’t put a vase of flowers on top of the TV, for example
Leave them on at night – unless they are designed to be left on, like freezers
Put anything in the microwave that is made of metal, or has a metallic finish or parts

Fuses

When you’re fitting or replacing a fuse, it’s important to use the right fuse for the appliance to make sure the fuse doesn’t overheat. Check the manual or look for a sticker on the appliance to find out its wattage and then use the correct fuse:

for appliances up to 700 watts, use a 3 amp fuse
for appliances between 700 and 1,000 watts, use a 5 amp fuse
for appliances more than 1,000 watts, use a 13 amp fuse

Extension leads and adaptors have a limit on how many amps they can take, so be careful not to overload them, to reduce the risk of fire.

E-bikes and e-scooters

Charging

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when charging, and always unplug your charger when it’s finished charging.
Ensure you have working smoke alarms. If you charge or store your e-bike or e-scooter in a garage or kitchen ensure you install detection, we recommend heat alarms rather than smoke detectors for these areas.
Charge batteries whilst you are awake and alert so if a fire should occur you can respond quickly. Don’t leave batteries to charge while you are asleep or away from the home.
Always use the manufacturer approved charger for the product, and if you spot any signs of wear and tear or damage, buy an official replacement charger for your product from a reputable seller.
Do not cover chargers or battery packs when charging, as this could lead to overheating or even a fire.
Do not charge batteries or store your e-bike or e-scooter near combustible or flammable materials.
Do not overcharge your battery – check the manufacturer’s instructions for charge times.
Do not overload socket outlets or use inappropriate extension leads (use uncoiled extensions and ensure the lead is suitably rated for what you are plugging in to it).
In the event of an e-bike, e-scooter or lithium-ion battery fire – do not attempt to extinguish the fire. Get out, stay out, call 999.

Storage

Avoid storing or charging e-bikes and e-scooters on escape routes or in communal areas of a multi occupied building. If there’s a fire, it can affect people’s ability to escape.
Responsible Persons should consider the risks posed by e-bikes and e-scooters where they are charged or left in common areas such as means of escape, bike stores and mobility scooter charging rooms. They may wish to offer advice to residents on the safe use, storage and charging of these products.
Store e-bikes and e-scooters and their batteries in a cool place. Avoid storing them in excessively hot or cold areas.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for the storage and maintenance of lithium -ion batteries if they are not going to be used for extended periods of time.

Buying

Buy e-bikes, e-scooters and chargers and batteries from reputable retailers.
Many fires involve counterfeit electrical goods. Items which don’t meet British or European standards pose a huge fire risk and while genuine chargers (or battery packs) may cost more, it’s not worth putting your life at risk and potentially destroying your home by buying a fake charger to save a few pounds.
If buying an e-bike conversion kit, purchase from a reputable seller and check that it complies with British or European standards. Take particular care if buying from online auction or fulfilment platforms. Also be aware that if buying separate components, you should check that they are compatible.
Register your product with the manufacturer to validate any warranties – batteries are usually included in warranties. Registering makes it easier for manufacturers to contact you in the event of safety or recall information.
Check any products you have bought are not subject to a product recall. You can do this by checking Electrical Safety First’s website or the government website.

Damage and disposal

Batteries can be damaged by dropping them or crashing e-bikes or e-scooters. Where the battery is damaged, it can overheat and catch fire without warning. Check your battery regularly for any signs of damage and if you suspect it is damaged it should be replaced and should not be used or charged.
If you need to dispose of a damaged or end of life battery, don’t dispose of it in your household waste or normal recycling. These batteries, when punctured or crushed, can cause fires in bin lorries, recycling and waste centres. Your e-bike or e-scooter manufacturer may offer a recycling service. Alternatively, check with your local authority for suitable battery recycling arrangements in your area.

Dealing with an electrical fire