How to safely heat your home this winter

It’s Electrical Fire Safety Week from 14 to 20 November, and we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight some of things to look out for in your home to keep you safe from electrical mishaps or hazards.

With energy prices increasing, we know that lots of people are turning to alternative ways to stay warm, such as electric blankets and portable heaters. These can be great ways to keep warm and heat your home, but it’s important that you continue to take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of a fire in your home when using them. Here are some top tips:

• Do not charge leave electrical goods on charge at night, when you are asleep or if you are out.
• Make sure that your electrical items are CE marked – CE marking indicates that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements.

You can also:

• Place candles in or on a fire resistant dish/holder on a sturdy base, away from anything that could catch alight
• Make sure that cables from electrical appliances (including extension cables) don’t run underneath carpets or rugs
• Make sure you do not overload extension leads
• Switch off your electrical appliances when you’re not using them
• Only use bulbs that have the recommended wattage for your light fittings
• Keep mains powered appliances away from water and don’t use them in bathrooms
• If you need to use an extension lead, keep it uncoiled to prevent it from overheating.

For more tips on how to stay safe in your home, please visit the fire safety section of our website. Alternatively, the London fire Brigade have some great advice and tips on their website which is helpful for everyone to keep in mind, even if you live outside of London: www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home

More fire safety tips