The start of a New Year is the perfect time to carry out a Fire Safety prevention check on your workplace or home.

Before you put all the Christmas decorations away – check!

How old are those Christmas tree lights? Are there any bare wires or defective lights? If so it may be time to replace them.

Are there decorations that you keep year after year and never put up? Perhaps it time to recycle and give them to a charity shop for someone else to enjoy!

By reducing your storage you are reducing your Fire loading!!!

Electrical fires are common in both workplace premises and family homes and many can be avoided by following some simple actions:

  • Don’t use imitation electrical chargers as they may be unsafe
  • Make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark
  • Unplug appliances and chargers when you are not using them and at night
  • Check you are using the correct fuses.
  • Keep to one plug per socket
  • If you use an adaptor, use a fused ‘in line’ type.
  • Completely unwind a cable drum extension lead before use.
  • Commercial premises should check that their 5 year Periodical Electrical test is up to date.
  • Test your Emergency lighting.

Remember: scorch marks, flickering lights, hot plugs and sockets, fuses that low or circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reasons could be signs of loose or dangerous wiring. Don’t ignore it – act on it!

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to clients: Sometimes we overload sockets without realising, there is a fabulous tool call the socket calculator – its quick, simple and fun to use click here to check it out. If you have any doubt about your electrics contact Electrical Safety First – there you will find a list of professionals that will help you plus tips and true life stories of how devastating defective electrics can be. Alternatively contact LFRA and we will point you in the right direction our friendly advice is free ring now on 01689 890879