Electrical Fire: Top Causes & Prevention Tips

Electrical fires are one of the most common causes of property damage to homes and businesses across the country. According to Gov.uk, in 2020, there were approximately 19,300 accidental fires of electrical origin each year in the UK. Of these fires, faulty appliances and leads accounted for 15% of all fires, and electrical appliance misuse accounted for a staggering 34%.

Fire Graph

Fire is one of the most expensive types of home insurance claims, with the latest figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) showing that in 2021, £1.3 billion was paid out to customers for fire damage claims. This is further highlighted by statistics from Gov.uk showing that in the year ending March 2020, the average area of fire damage to homes (excluding those over 5,000m2) in England was 16.2m2. Now just imagine this happening to your property. The last thing you want is to be faced with the responsibility of navigating a property insurance claim. It can be stressful, overwhelming and not to mention extremely time-consuming.

We want to help you avoid becoming part of the electrical fire statistics. That’s why we’re sharing the most common causes of electrical fires, along with how you can prevent one from occurring in your property.

Top Causes & Prevention Tips

Faulty Sockets

According to Dorset and Wiltshire fire service, each year, 7,000 house fires are caused by faulty electrics, appliances, wiring and sockets in the UK. A faulty socket certainly has real potential to cause a substantial fire, and worryingly, it doesn’t need to be in use to do so. But how does, what appears to be a minor fault, turn into a major fire? To best explain how a fire starts from a faulty socket, let’s first explain the basic physics behind it…

When electricity flows through an object, that object emits a certain level of resistance. If the resistance is high, the electricity passing through generates heat. In the case of poor connections, this heat alone can be enough to start a fire. However, poor connections also tend to spark. In the presence of flammable materials such as clothes and cleaning products, this can quickly lead to a major blaze, resulting in costly damage.

Electrical Socket Safety Tips

One of the most common causes of electrical fires is faulty sockets. To prevent an electrical fire caused by a faulty socket, follow these tips:

  • Ensure your sockets are not damaged – This includes checking for cracked faces, cracked or missing cover plates, damaged outlet body and loose receptacle slots. If you do notice any of these faults in your socket, ensure you get a suitably qualified person to replace it, immediately.

  • Make sure your plug socket does not exceed a maximum of 13 amps worth of appliances. If you’re unsure, use Electrical Safety First’s overload calculator. This resource is a great and simple way to check if you’re exceeding the maximum load without even realising it!
  • Always switch off your electrical items when they are not in use at the socket.

  • Only use one extension lead per socket and never plug an extension lead into another.

Extension Leads

Households commonly use extension leads, and four-way bar adaptors are particularly popular because they enable us to plug multiple appliances into a single socket. While it may be tempting to plug in your phone, watch, TV, and air freshener all at once, it is important to note that just because there is space for all four appliances, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe to do so.

Extension lead

Extension Lead Safety Tips

Follow this simple advice to avoid overloading your extension lead:

  • Check the current rating of the extension lead before plugging appliances into it. The back or underside of the extension lead will clearly mark the rating. Most extension leads are rated at 13 A, but some are rated at only 10 A or less.

  • Never overload an extension lead by plugging in appliances that together will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. This could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a fire.

  • As a general rule, power-hungry appliances such as kettles, toasters and microwaves should be plugged directly into the wall socket.

  • Check that visible cables and leads are in good condition with no loose wires or fraying.

Portable Heaters

While electric heaters offer convenience and efficiency in staying warm during winter, it is impossible to ignore that they also rank among the leading causes of electrical fires in the UK. Electrical Safety First reports that electrical products are responsible for 89% of electrical fires each year, and according to statistics from the London Fire Brigade, a third of electrical fires resulting in a fatality involve heaters.

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People often cause these fires by placing blankets or clothing too close to the heater.

Portable Heater Safety Tips

So, how do you reap the benefits of a portable heater while also avoiding a fire?

  • Ensure that your heaters are not damaged and are well maintained.

  • If your heater is old, have it tested by a qualified electrician.
  • Register your heater with AMDEA to get alerts if it is recalled. According to the London Fire Brigade, many fires in the past year connected to heaters have been recalled.

  • If possible, secure portable heaters to a wall to prevent them from falling over. This is particularly important for those who have mobility issues to avoid tripping over the appliance.

  • Never sit closer than one metre away from the heater.

  • Keep heaters well away from clothes, curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.

E-Bikes

Whilst E-bikes and scooters are a great and convenient mode of transportation, it’s essential not to ignore the fire risk they pose. So far in 2023, the London Fire Brigade have responded to, on average, an e-bike or e-scooter fire once every two days… a worrying statistic highlighting the true extent of the problem.

Electrical fire

It’s easy to think that a fire won’t happen to you, but the reality is much closer than you might think. An investigation by The Guardian and Electrical Safety First found that more than a dozen low-cost devices, several with substandard, unfused plugs were on offer online by well known retail giants. With the convenience of some offering next-day delivery, it’s understandable why so many people choose to buy from these sites rather than reputable sellers, risking the purchase of faulty chargers.

How to Tell if Your Battery is Failing

If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s essential that you take immediate action to avoid becoming a victim of a lithium battery fire:

  • Heat: Is your e-bike extremely hot to touch when charging or in use? If it is, there’s a chance that it’s defective.

  • Bulging: Does your battery look swollen? If it does, you should stop using it immediately.

  • Noise: Does your bike make a hissing or crackling sound? This is a reported sign that the battery is failing.

E-bikes are a new phenomenon in the UK, and trials of rental e-scooters on roads in dozens of towns and cities across England are ongoing. Transport minister, Jesse Normal told the Commons Transport Select Committee that e-scooters and bike fires are “an issue of serious concern” and the Government is “working hard on it”. He said: “We’ve had very few fires on the (e-scooter) trials, but we have had some. “There are obviously wider reports and there’s now a scare going on at the moment about e-bikes.” So, while the future of e-bikes in the UK is uncertain, it’s important to be aware of the risks and follow the advice below to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

E-Bike Safety Tips

  • Store e-bikes somewhere away from a main thoroughfare in your home. In the event of a fire, this action will prevent blocking your fire escape route. The best place to store an e-bike is in a garage or shed.

  • Check your battery and charger meet UK safety standards. Stay alert to the warning signs that your battery is failing.

  • Do not attempt to modify or tamper with your battery. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

  • Always purchase batteries from a reputable seller. Buying a battery from an online marketplace likely means they will not meet the correct UK safety standards.

  • Let the battery cool before charging. If you are charging batteries indoors, follow London Fire Brigade’s advice on how to do so safely.

  • Fit alarms where you charge. Make sure to fit smoke alarms in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and regularly test them. You can quickly and easily check the safety of your home by visiting London Fire Brigade’s free online home fire safety checker tool.

Faulty Appliances

According to research by ElectricalDirect, faulty appliances caused a shocking 43 fires a week in England. Furthermore, between April 2019 and March 2020, everyday household appliances caused 15,000 accidental fires in homes!

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The study also revealed that cookers were responsible for 8,000 accidental fires in England in 2019/20, 53% of total appliance fires. Hot plates and toasters came second and third, causing 11% and 9% of fires respectively.

Many of these fire-causing appliances were faulty without the owner even knowing so. Fortunately, there are ways you can protect yourself from disaster, one being by registering your appliances to be notified if they are recalled.

Faulty Appliances Safety Tips

  • Register your appliance with AMDEA to get alerts on appliance recalls. You can register all kinds of electrical appliances made by over 60 manufacturers – including but not limited to fridges, freezers, dishwashers and washing machines.

  • Buy from a retailer you trust, not from a cheap online seller. When installing, using and maintaining your appliance, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

  • Spillages and food debris can pose a fire risk. Clean your oven and hob regularly and always clear spillages immediately.

  • Don’t leave appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and heaters running overnight or when you are away from home.

Faulty Fuse Box

Simply put, a fuse box controls and distributes electricity throughout your home. Always take the importance of knowing the location of your fuse box seriously. Turning off your electricity could be your saving grace in an emergency.

Fuse box

One of the most common causes of fuse box fires is when the unit overheats and melts. This creates thick black smoke that can make it difficult to escape your property.

Fuse Box Safety Tips

To ensure your fuse box remains safe to use, follow these tips:

  • Make sure you fit your fuse box with an RCD. – A residual current device, or RCD, switches off electricity when it detects a fault with the current or power supply.

  • Get a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical installation – Did you know that you should have your electrics checked every 10 years or every time you move house? Many people aren’t aware of this crucial action, but by being proactive you can help prevent major damage occurring from poor installation and electrical faults.

  • Keep the area surrounding your fuse box clear – Avoid keeping combustible materials such as clothing and cleaning materials close to your fuse box. These materials can easily catch fire and block your escape route.

Need Help Managing Your Fire Claim?

Fire damage is a significant risk that every homeowner faces, with electrical fires being one of the most common causes of such incidents. If you do suffer damage, to ensure a smooth and successful claims process, it is crucial to have the right support by your side.

By choosing Property Claim Assist as your Loss Assessor, you benefit from our in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry and our dedication to protecting your interests. We will diligently assess the extent of the electrical fire damage, compile comprehensive evidence, and negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf to ensure a full and fair settlement.

Don’t let electrical fire damage leave you overwhelmed and financially strained. Take action today by contacting Property Claim Assist and entrusting us with your electrical fire insurance claim. Our team are ready to assist you, every step of the way, providing the expertise and support you need during this challenging time.

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