Fire Safety
From electric blankets to power strips and adaptors, read all about electrical fire safety.
Electrical Fires
Modern homes are chock full of electrical appliances. We'd rather you left fire-fighting to the experts but if you do decide to try and tackle a fire yourself, you need to take extra if it's in or near electrical appliances or wiring.
Find out the essential dos and don'ts below.
- If it's Not Safe to Get to the Item
- What Not To Do
- What You Can Do
- If You Can't Put It Out Straight Away
If it's Not Safe to Get to the Item
If you can't get within arm's reach of the cooker for heat, smoke or flames:
- get out
- get everyone else out
- close all doors behind you
- call 999
- stay out of the house until the Fire Service tell you it's safe to come back in
What Not To Do
Even if you think it's safe to try and tackle the fire yourself, there a couple of things you must never do to an electrical fire:
- never throw water or use a foam (cream patch) or water (clear patch) fire extinguisher on an electrical fire or a fire that's near electrical appliances - you could be electrocuted
- never touch any part of an electrical appliance that's on fire - it will be very hot and may electrocute you
Read more on using fire extinguishers safely.
What You Can Do
If it's safe and you can reach the item without putting yourself in danger:
- make sure everyone is out safe first
- switch off the electricity at the main switch beside the fuse box and meter
- use a Carbon Dioxide (black patch) or Dry Powder (blue patch) fire extinguisher on the fire if you have one
- call the Fire Service even if you think you've put the fire out
Read more on using fire extinguishers safely.
If You Can't Put It Out Straight Away
- get out
- get everyone else out
- close all doors behind you
- call 999
- stay out of the house until the Fire Service tell you it's safe to come back in