Winter Safety Advice

Electric heaters

Only use heaters that are in good working order and keep them a safe distance from combustible materials.

• Make sure they are in good working order, have ‘feet’ attached to lift the base off the floor, and get them serviced regularly

• Keep them well away from furniture, curtains, clothes, plants or anything else that could catch fire

• when using electricity and electrical appliances, it’s very important to make sure you don’t overload sockets. Try out the ‘Socket Overload Calculator’ to see if you’re using electricity safely

Electric blankets

• Check your electric blanket for wear and tear and if it is worn, replace it before use

• Get it serviced at least once a year

• Make sure it has safety features including automatic switch-off at a certain temperature or after a time limit

• If a person suffers from incontinence, remove electric blankets from beds and do not use

• Never use a hot water bottle when using an electric blanket – water and electricity don’t mix

Find more electrical safety tips on the Electrical Safety First website.

Open fires and log burners

Use fire guards to prevent embers igniting nearby combustibles. Keep the chimney swept regularly and don’t sit or stand too close.

• It’s important to make sure your chimneys, fire places and log burning stoves are swept and cleaned before use

• Always use a spark guard, even if you think the fire has died out. Sparks can still unexpectedly shoot out of even a damped-down fire and set fire to your home.

• Avoid drying clothes in front of an open fire – this is a big fire risk!

• Ensure wood, coal and other fuels are stored at a safe distance from the fire.

• Make sure that there is no clutter on or around the fireplace.

Wheat bags and hot water bottles

Wheat bags

• Avoid overheating wheat bags in the microwave by following the instruction on the packaging exactly

• Before grabbing it out of the microwave after heating, check it’s not too hot first by poking it with your finger

Hot water bottles

• Don’t overfill hot water bottles and ensure all air is out of the bottle, screwing the lid on tightly

• Always use a hot water bottle cover to prevent burns

• Never use one at the same time as an electric blanket – water and electricity don’t mix

Candles

Candles should be secured in proper holders, away from materials that can catch fire. Never leave lit candles unattended.

• Candles should be fitted in a candle holder, placed on a non-flammable surface.

• Don’t leave them unattended when burning, especially with young children or pets around.

• Make sure they aren’t burning close to curtains, bedding, clothing or plants which might catch fire.

• Be sure not to place burning candles on window sills or on the floor.

• Extinguish all candles before going to bed.

• Burning candles shouldn’t be placed anywhere where they might be knocked over or caught in a draught.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide can be given off by any appliance which burns a fossil fuel such as gas, coal or oil. It can enter your room if your appliance is faulty, or if the room is not properly ventilated, or the chimney or flue is blocked.

• Make sure your appliances are safe, have them properly installed and regularly maintained.

• Gas appliances must be serviced by engineers who are members of the Gas Safe Register.

• Make sure your home is properly ventilated – never block vents.

• Make sure all chimneys and flues are regularly swept and kept clear.

• If you are buying a carbon monoxide detector get it from a reputable outlet, such as a DIY store.

Second-hand products

If buying second-hand electrical goods:

• See if the product has been recalled by using Electrical Safety First’s online product checker.

• Check the product has a three-pin UK plug, which should also include a fuse.

• Make sure there’s a certification label on the product and its packaging.

• Electrical appliances should have a model serial number on the product  – use this to register it. This makes it easy for the manufacturer to contact you if it needs to be recalled due to a fault or safety reason.

Appliances

Appliances such as ovens, barbecues, hobs and outdoor heaters should not be used to keep a room warm. Only use appliances for their intended purpose.

• Make sure washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers are not used overnight or when no one’s home – if there’s a fire no one will be there to raise the alarm.

• Tumble dryer lint filters need to be cleaned weekly and vacuumed monthly, to reduce the risk of fire.

• See if the product has been recalled by using Electrical Safety First’s online product checker.

• Check the product has a three-pin UK plug, which should also include a fuse.

• Make sure there’s a certification label on the product and its packaging.

• Electrical appliances should have a model serial number on the product  – use this to register it. This makes it easy for the manufacturer to contact you if it needs to be recalled due to a fault or safety reason.

Energy tariffs

If possible, avoid running white goods and charging devices at night or when you are out of the house. Energy often isn’t any cheaper at night, so you might not actually save anything by running the washing machine overnight. If you’re asleep you are much less likely to spot a small problem (smoke coming from a socket) before it becomes a fire. Before you go to bed, or go out, check the living room, the kitchen, home office, your bedroom and so on and switch off!

Counterfeit products

• Fake electrical products claiming to be ‘real’ could be unsafe or faulty, increasing the risk of fire.

• Be sure to purchase electrical goods from retailers you know and trust, either from the manufacturer’s website or from a trusted high street name.

• Spotting a fake product within online marketplaces can be difficult – if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

• If the seller claims the product is ‘genuine’, ‘real’ or ‘authentic’ double check the source, because most reputable retailers don’t need to describe their products like this.