Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Electrical Safety

It is easy to forget that electricity can cause a fire as easily as any gas appliance. With an increasing number of electrical goods appearing in our homes, it is important to remember to use these appliances with care and safety, and to check them regularly for any potential dangers.
Around 35 electrical fires occur in UK homes every day. Prevent damage to your home and harm to your family by being aware of how you use and maintain your electrical goods.
In the event of an electrical fire, if the room is full of smoke get out immediately. If the fire is just small, you may be able to control it.
Pull out the plug or switch it off at the fuse box. If this doesn’t stop it, smother the fire with a blanket or with dry powder.
Never use water on an electrical fire.
To prevent an electrical fire, keep an eye out for hot plugs and sockets, or any inexplicable blown fuses and temperamental lights. These could indicate loose wiring or more significant problems.
Check the safety of the electrical equipment or appliances that you are using. Look for the BEAB, CE or BS (British Standard) mark. If it has an old BEAB safety mark of a round symbol it will be more than 10 years old and should be thoroughly checked or thrown away, depending on the item. The new BEAB mark has white capitals on a black background.

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