Electrical Fire Safety

Mobile phone charging 

Put safety first with this essential guide to safer mobile phone charging. 

Unsafe mobile phone chargers have been blamed for a growing number of house fires in recent years. And with more than 1.8 million mobile phone chargers bought online in the UK each year, it’s easy to fall victim to fake and angerous phone chargers. 

Avoid cheap chargers 

Phone chargers can be bought online for as little as a £1 – far cheaper than branded counterparts. However, there’s no guarantee they meet stringent UK and EU safety standards. 

Cheap phone chargers may explode once plugged into a wall socket – the result, say fire and safety experts, of cheap wiring and sub-standard components. They may also fail to charge your phone properly and even damage the phone’s battery. 

Issues with universal chargers 

Although many phones now use standard USB-connection chargers, avoid buying cheap universal chargers online that claims to work with a wide range of mobile phones and tablets. 

Different mobile devices typically require varying levels of charge, so a single charger may cause your phone’s battery to overheat or charge less efficiently 

Buy genuine chargers 

Despite being more expensive, always buy an official charger for your particular phone as they’ll have been thoroughly tested and meet UK safety standards. 

You’re not paying extra just for the name – you’re actually buying peace of mind. 

If you must use a third-party charger, buy one from an approved, trusted brand. 

Don’t cover your charger while in use 

We’ve all heard stories of phones bursting into flames or exploding while being charged. Along with using a genuine charger, make sure nothing is covering your phone as it charges so that the heat generated is able to dissipate safely. 

Don’t leave a charger plugged in overnight 

Avoid leaving your phone charging unattended, particularly overnight. 

While your phone is clever enough to stop taking a charge once the battery is full, a problem may occur if the charger itself overheats, especially if left on a flammable surface. 

You’ll be less alert to a fire breaking out when asleep. Install a smoke detector and check regularly that it’s in working order. 

Check the charger for damage 

Frayed cable? Loose connections? Wobbly plug pins? If your phone charger looks worn or damaged, buy a new one. 

Damaged chargers pose a fire risk and could electrocute if you touch an exposed part of the charger when plugging and unplugging it. 

Don’t overload sockets 

Don’t be tempted to plug several mobile phones and other devices into one wall socket using a multi-plug adaptor. Long strip adaptors are safer, but can take only a total of 13 amps, so don’t overload them either. 

• They should be kept away from furniture and fittings. Make sure that nothing can fall onto a heater.
• Keep at least three feet - one metre - away from them
• Have fireguards to prevent and protect children and/or pets coming in contact with them
• Never dry washing on or near them (or on fireguards)
• Try to secure heaters up against a wall to stop them falling over.
• Don't cover air vents on storage heaters or fan heaters.

Choosing your electric blanket

• Buy your electric from a reliable source
• Always buy new when choosing an electric blanket - secondhand blankets may not be safe and you can't be sure they meet current safety requirements.
• Check that it has a UK safety standard mark, this means that is has been independently tested and meets UK and European safety standards. 

Look for these safety marks

Using your electric blanket

• Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions before use
• Never use an electric underblanket as an overblanket (or vice versa)
• Don't use the blanket while it's still folded or creased
• Don't use a hot water bottle at the same time as using your electric blanket
• Don't touch the blanket if you have wet hands or feet, and never use the blanket if it's wet or damp
• Don't insert or use pins to hold the blanket in place on the bed 

Check your blanket regularly for signs of wear or damage

• Are there any scorch marks or discoloured areas on the fabric of the blanket?
• Are wires visible or poking through the fabric?
• Is the fabric is frayed or worn?
• Is there any damage to the power cable between the plug and the blanket's control or between the control and the blanket?
• Does the control make a buzzing sound when switched on or gives off a scorching smell?
• Is the blanket's connector - where the electrical cable plugs into the blanket - damaged or over-heating? 

If you're in any doubt about your blanket, contact the manufacturer before you use it to make sure that it is safe. It may need to be replaced.

Storing your electric blanket

Even when your blanket is not in use, you can leave it on the bed all year round or place it flat on a spare bed. 

If you put the blanket away, it should be stored as the manufacturer recommends or as follows:

• Let it cool down before folding
• Loosely fold or roll it in a towel or plastic bag and store it in a cool dry place
• Don't use any moth-proofing like moth balls
• Don't place heavy items on it while it is being stored

These batteries are in common use and should always be charged with the manufacturer’s approved charger. Using a cheaper or alternative charger may result in the wrong charge being applied which can result in them catching fire.

There have been a number of serious and fatal fires nationally caused by e-Bike batteries being incorrectly charged. These create a particular risk to occupants as they are often stored in the means of escape – next to exit doors. Similar risks relate to charging mobility scooters.

Our advice is to only use approved charging devices, not to charge them overnight and disconnect one charging is complete.

More about Lithium Batteries and e-scooters