Fire hazards and risks at home
08/02/2021
Whilst the number of fires attended by fire and rescue services (FRSs) dropped in the year ending September 2020 compared to the previous year, the number was still over 150,000 – an average of 420 a day.
To look more specifically, there were 27,797 primary dwelling (residential) fires in the same period, with around three-quarters of those in houses, bungalows and converted flats (the remaining in purpose-built flats).
The bulk of residential fires are caused by electrical equipment misuse, mainly cooking appliances, and occur during the hours of 10p-6am, when most people are sleeping and warning signs go undetected.
With so many of these fires being preventable, here we take a look at what the most significant fire risks are in the home as well as some common questions asked.
Fire hazards in the home
Some hazards in the home are more obvious than others, and some are easier to spot than others. Below is a list of common fire hazards in the home, and how you can mitigate the risks of them:
Candles and flames
As nice as they may look or smell, candles are a serious fire risk. When burning, make sure they sit on fireproof surfaces and are kept away from flammable items such as curtains or fabrics.
Electrical equipment
As the most common cause of residential fires, electric equipment such as appliances, wires and plug sockets are a significant fire risk.
Switching off and unplugging electrical equipment ranging from hairdryers up to laptops and computers can reduce the chances of a fire. It is also advisable not to leave anything on charge overnight, or if so not in the same room as you sleep. Any unused wires should be unplugged from sockets as well.
Cooking equipment
Chip pans, frying pans and grills can catch fire easily given the oil used and produced in cooking with them. Always make sure the appliances are cleaned well after using to prevent build up, and where possible use safer methods such as an oven.
Electric scooter charging
A relatively new, but growing, fire risk is that of charging electric scooters at home. Last month there were examples of how dangerous this can be, so taking appropriate precautions such as allowing the battery to cool down before charging, buying from a reputable seller and ensuring any plugs are unplugged after use can help to reduce the risk.
Which white good can be a fire risk?
White goods, which are large appliances such as tumble dryers, washing machines, fridges and freezers, can all cause electrical fires. There are a number of ways to mitigate the risks of these, such as cleaning them regularly, not overloading plug sockets, and being careful when purchasing any second hand.
Is it a fire hazard to leave chargers plugged in?
Whilst the chances of an unused but plugged in charger causing a fire are low, the risk is still there. As chargers take electricity from the socket, there is a chance that a fire may occur if a wire is short-circuited or if the charger comes into contact with water. It’s always best to unplug any chargers, or wires, not in use.
Is leaving a TV on standby a fire hazard?
Similarly to leaving a charger plugged in, the chances of a fire starting when a TV is on standby is low but not zero. When on standby, the TV is still receiving electricity from the socket and with that produces a risk of fire whether that is via overheating or short-circuiting. It’s always best to turn electrics off at the plug, and even can help reduce the monthly costs.
Are slow cookers a fire hazard?
The chances of a slow cooker starting a fire are slim, but again, not zero. Ultimately, whilst slow cookers are designed and manufactured to be on for long periods of time and left unattended, they could still fall foul of a short-circuit which could be the beginning of a fire. To reduce the risk, make sure to inspect the cord before using each time, be cautious when purchasing one second hand, and ensuring the smoke detector is working (at all times).
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