Fire services issue warning of rise in accidental electrical fires

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are urging people to take extra care and follow safety advice to prevent electrical fires at home.

With colder weather approaching and the continued rise in the cost of living, the service says many households are relying on alternative heating methods such as electric heaters, log burners, and rechargeable devices- which can cause deadly fires.

For electrical fire safety week, MAWWFRS are issuing this advice:

• Use all appliances according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
• Keep appliances clean, well‑maintained and serviced regularly.
• Avoid buying fake or counterfeit electrical goods, these may not meet safety standards.
• Switch off and unplug appliances before going out or going to bed (except those designed to stay on, such as fridges and freezers).
• Avoid using washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers overnight or when out of the home.
• Ensure tumble dryers are well ventilated and clean the filter after every use.
• Do not charge phones or devices overnight or on soft furnishings.
• Check sockets regularly; stop using them immediately if they are hot or show burn marks and contact a registered electrician to check if they need repairing or replacing.
• Use portable heaters safely, always keep them clear of clothing and never leave them unattended.
• Inspect electric blankets for wear and tear. Replace any blankets over five years old from an approved retailer and store them carefully.
• Use trailing gang extension leads rather than block adaptors and avoid overloading (no more than 13 amps/3000 watts). Never plug adaptors into other adaptors.

Home Fire Safety Manager, Gareth Hands said:

“We want everyone to stay safe this winter, and we urge residents of Mid and West Wales to take a few simple steps. Electrical fires present a real risk, often causing significant damage to property and, in the worst cases, leading to tragic consequences.

“Never leave electrical appliances running overnight or unattended and make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted on each level of your home and test them regularly.

“Registering your new, old or second‑hand appliances means you will be notified if a product recall or safety issue arises, helping to prevent a potential fire or hazardous situation. It only takes a couple of minutes to do, and you will only be contacted about essential product safety information.”

E-bike battery fire risks:

MAWWFRS are also highlighting the growing fire risks associated with e‑bikes, e‑scooters and other devices powered by lithium‑ion batteries.

These batteries can fail catastrophically if damaged, overcharged or charged using incompatible equipment. This can lead to fast‑spreading fires that produce toxic smoke.

Lithium‑ion battery fires develop rapidly and can be extremely difficult to extinguish, making prevention critical.

Aled Griffiths said:

“We are seeing an increase in Lithium-ion battery fires in Mid and West Wales with the Service attending 11 fires in the last 12 months.

“Lithium-ion batteries are associated with e‑bikes and e‑scooters but most modern devices with rechargeable batteries contain lithium-ion batteries, they can be found inside many everyday household electricals, from laptops, mobile phones and tablets to electric toothbrushes and vapes to name a few.

“If a lithium-ion battery is improperly charged, handled, stored or disposed of there is a risk of overheating, catching fire or explosion leading to fast‑spreading fires that produce toxic smoke – causing serious injury or even loss of life."

People are being advised to only buy e‑bikes, e‑scooters and chargers from reputable retailers and to use the correct charger supplied with the device.

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