Reminder to service electrical items following dishwasher fire in Wrexham
PostedNorth Wales Fire and Rescue Service is reminding residents of regularly servicing and replacing aging electrical items following a dishwasher fire at a house in Ruabon.
Crews from Johnstown and Wrexham were called to the property on Gardden View, Ruabon, Wrexham at 14.08hrs.
The cause of the fire is thought to be an electrical fault in the dishwasher.
Tony Jones from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Electricity
is often overlooked as a fire hazard, perhaps because there is no flame but
just because there is no flame, doesn't mean there's no risk - never
underestimate the risk of fire from electricity.”
Here are Tony's top electrical safety tips:
● Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order and have them serviced regularly
● Never buy an electrical appliance without knowing it is safe to use
● New appliances should have the British or European safety mark on them
● Do not leave electrical appliances on standby, unless they are designed to be left switched on (fridges and freezers for example). All other appliances
should be turned off at the plug, and ideally unplugged, before going out or
going to bed
● Get your electrical system checked by a competent, registered electrician at
least once every 10 years
● Always make sure you use an RCD with electrical garden tools to protect
from an electric shock
● Don't overload sockets - use one plug in each socket.
- Use a 'bar-type' fused adaptor on a lead, rather than a 'block-type' adaptor.
- Don't allow the total amps of all plugs in the adaptor to add up to more than
13 amps (or 3000 watts of power).
- Don't plug adaptors into adaptors - use one adaptor in each socket.
Tony also advises that you check electrical leads and plugs for wear and tear and faulty wiring and if you notice hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow for no reason, flickering lights, and scorch marks on sockets or plugs he recommends asking a qualified electrician to check your wiring.
He added: "For the protection of you and your family, make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on each floor of your home and that it is tested regularly.”