What Causes Electrical Fires — and How to Prevent Them

Electrical fires account for around 20,000 house fires in the UK every year. The good news is that the vast majority are preventable. Here are the most common causes and what you can do to protect your home.

Faulty or overloaded wiring

Old or damaged wiring is one of the leading causes of electrical fires. Wiring degrades over time — insulation becomes brittle, connections loosen, and the installation may no longer meet current standards. Properties with wiring more than 25 years old should have an EICR to assess the condition of the installation.

Overloaded sockets and extension leads

Plugging too many appliances into a single socket or extension lead causes the wiring to overheat. This is particularly common with high-current appliances such as electric heaters, kettles and toasters. Never daisy-chain extension leads, and avoid using cube adaptors.

Faulty appliances

Appliances with damaged flexes, faulty elements or failing motors can cause arcing or overheating. Always replace damaged flexes immediately, and do not use appliances that are sparking, burning or making unusual noises.

Incorrect fuse ratings

Using a fuse with too high a rating allows more current to flow than the wiring can safely carry. Always use the correct fuse rating for the appliance — this is usually printed on the appliance or in the manual.

DIY electrical work

Poorly executed DIY electrical work is a significant cause of electrical fires. Loose connections, incorrect cable sizes and missing earthing can all cause dangerous faults that may not be immediately apparent. All notifiable electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician.

Outdated consumer units

Older consumer units without RCD protection cannot detect the types of faults that cause many electrical fires. Modern consumer units with RCD and AFDD protection provide a much higher level of protection.

How to reduce your risk

The most effective steps you can take are:

• ⚡Have an EICR carried out if your installation is more than 10 years old
• ⚡Install mains-wired interlinked smoke alarms on every floor
• ⚡Replace any consumer unit without RCD protection
• ⚡Never overload sockets or extension leads
• ⚡Replace damaged appliance flexes immediately
• ⚡Do not leave high-current appliances running unattended

Brad Neil Electrical carries out EICR testing and consumer unit replacements across Surrey. Call 07415 834215 to book.

Brad Neil

NICEIC Registered Domestic Installer · Brad Neil Electrical · Surrey