Date: 27th November, 2024
Leaving small electrical devices on charge overnight has been the cause of multiple house fires in recent years, so Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to ‘Unplug to Unwind’.
Only large appliances such as fridges are designed to be left switched on all the time, so ensuring that everything else is unplugged before you go to bed is a simple routine that could protect your home from fire.
The Service’s new safety campaign is in response to data that shows that, in the last three years, there has been an increase in fires involving electrical items – with the main causes being vape and mobile chargers, overloaded sockets, cheap online goods, electric fires and faulty wiring.
Safe & Well Manager Sarah Moore said “We know people will be trying to save money this winter, especially with Black Friday and in the run-up to Christmas, and it’s all too tempting to buy cheap products, but this comes with a risk. Although it can be cheaper to buy imported goods, they are often made with poor quality components that fail to meet UK safety regulations. This means they can cause injury, electric shocks and even fires.”
She added: “So many of the devices we use now have rechargeable batteries, so it’s vital that people follow the instructions provided and only use the correct charger. If the wrong voltage goes into a battery, or it’s left plugged in beyond being fully charged, there is a danger of overheating – which can then cause fires.”
More information about the Unplug To Unwind campaign can be found on the DWFRS website www.dwfire.org.uk/unplug-to-unwind/