One of the biggest fears householders have is a fire, as lives could be lost and your home destroyed within a very short time. However, almost 10% of Brits don’t have a working fire alarm in their home, according to government data.
This is a shocking statistic, since a small flame can turn into a major fire in less than 30 seconds. It can take only minutes for thick smoke to fill a house and potentially engulf the occupants in flames.
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Fire safety in the home is of the utmost importance and the fire service is urging everyone to install working smoke alarms in their property. While they can’t prevent fires, they can alert you and give you a chance to exit the property safely.
The UK government launched its Fire Kills campaign in 2022, after revealing there had been 424,464 fires in domestic properties in England, Scotland and Wales over the past decade. Unfortunately, almost 3,000 people died in house fires and around 82,000 suffered injuries, according to data from the national Fire and Rescue Services.
The data was released to urge people to fit a working smoke alarm, as it could save lives.
Electrical appliance fires
Have you ever wondered about the most common cause of household fires? While you might think of Christmas tree lights, or hair curling tongs, it may come as a surprise that everyday electrical appliances cause the largest percentage of fires in the home.
While electrical equipment in general is a leading cause of many fires, 34% are caused by the misuse of equipment or appliances and 15% by faulty leads and appliances.
Around 15,000 accidental fires in England alone are caused by appliances in an average year – but which are the major culprits?
Cooker and oven
The cooker, including the oven, is the household appliance that causes the most domestic fires in the UK. More than 8,000 fires were caused by a cooker in one year alone but not because the appliance was faulty.
Fires in the kitchen often occur because items have been left too close to the cooker. When it is turned on, the items overheat and ignite.
Another cause is storing baking trays and grills inside the oven and forgetting to take them out when it’s turned on. Any grease and fat can quickly overheat.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue has launched its Keep it Clean, Keep it Clear campaign to alert people to the hazards of clutter around or inside their oven.
Ring, hob or hot plate
Around 1,580 domestic fires per year are caused in the UK by a ring, hob or hot plate that is separate from the oven.
When pans are left unattended, and the householder forgets they have turned the ring on, grease, oils and fats are likely to ignite quickly.
The fire service advises keeping the stove top clean from clutter and keeping long hair tied back when cooking. Avoid wearing garments with loose sleeves over a hob, as they could easily ignite.
Around 22% of hob fires started because the householder had started cooking and went into another room, forgetting they had left a pan on the ring, while 31% started because dirty pans or grills had been stored on top of the cooker, which was accidentally turned on.
Grill or toaster
More than 1,300 fires per year are started by a grill or toaster. One cause is using the toaster underneath a cupboard and having it turned up too high, allowing the toast to ignite. Flames coming out of the toaster can set alight an overhead wooden cupboard quite easily.
If crumbs and food particles are allowed to accumulate inside the toaster, these too can ignite and start a fire.
Never leave a toaster unattended and don’t toast inappropriate items.
Microwave oven
More than 900 fires per year are caused by microwave ovens in the UK. According to the International Microwave Power Institute, a fire usually starts in a microwave for the same reason as a standard oven.
Tumble dryer
The tumble dryer is fifth on the list of appliances likely to start a fire, causing 668 blazes per year in the UK.
Tumble dryers contain a very powerful motor with parts that move quickly, causing them to get hot. When you don’t clean your machine regularly, excess fluff can build up over time.
A warning sign to watch out for is a smell of burning when you turn on your tumble dryer. Turn it off immediately if this happens, let it cool down and then clean it out.
Washing machine
A washing machine fire is the sixth main cause of domestic fires in Britain, causing 624 fires every year.
Some washing machines can develop a fault that causes them to become a fire risk. When this happens, the manufacturer will usually recall them.
Other washing machine fires occur due to faulty wiring sparking and igniting the cable insulation. The drive, conveyor or V-belt can also get worn and overheat.
If the worst happens and your home suffers a fire, it’s possible to use the services of emergency furniture rental experts to help you get back on your feet.
Minimise the risks: make sure you’re not among the 10% of Brits who haven’t bothered to install a smoke alarm!