The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) are urging people to take extra care and reduce the risk of electrical fires in their homes this winter.
With colder weather and the cost of living continuing to rise, many people are seeking alternative ways to heat and power their homes. As more households rely on electric heaters, log burners and rechargeable devices, fire prevention has never been more important. While saving money may be a priority, safety must not be compromised.
People can significantly reduce the risk of electrical fires by following these key steps:
- Use all appliances according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
- Keep appliances clean, well‑maintained and serviced regularly.
- Avoid buying fake or counterfeit electrical goods, these may not meet safety standards.
- Switch off and unplug appliances before going out or going to bed (except those designed to stay on, such as fridges and freezers).
- Avoid using washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers overnight or when out of the home.
- Ensure tumble dryers are well ventilated and clean the filter after every use.
- Do not charge phones or devices overnight or on soft furnishings.
- Check sockets regularly; stop using them immediately if they are hot or show burn marks and contact a registered electrician to check if they need repairing or replacing.
- Use portable heaters safely, always keep them clear of clothing and never leave them unattended.
- Inspect electric blankets for wear and tear. Replace any blankets over five years old from an approved retailer and store them carefully.
- Use trailing gang extension leads rather than block adaptors and avoid overloading (no more than 13 amps/3000 watts). Never plug adaptors into other adaptors.
If you have concerns about an appliance in your home, use Electrical Safety First online product checker to see if it has been recalled.
Register your appliances
Residents are encouraged to use the free Register My Appliance service, which notifies users of safety repairs or product recalls. Proof of purchase is not required, making it suitable for second‑hand or gifted items. Keeping appliances in good condition helps them last longer, reduces costs and keeps households safe.
Home Fire Safety Manager, Gareth Hands said:
“We want everyone to stay safe this winter, and we urge residents of Mid and West Wales to take a few simple steps. Electrical fires present a real risk, often causing significant damage to property and, in the worst cases, leading to tragic consequences.
“Never leave electrical appliances running overnight or unattended and make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted on each level of your home and test them regularly.
“Registering your new, old or second‑hand appliances means you will be notified if a product recall or safety issue arises, helping to prevent a potential fire or hazardous situation. It only takes a couple of minutes to do, and you will only be contacted about essential product safety information.”
Lithium‑Ion Battery Safety
MAWWFRS are also highlighting the growing fire risks associated with e‑bikes, e‑scooters and other devices powered by lithium‑ion batteries. These batteries can fail catastrophically if damaged, overcharged or charged using incompatible equipment. This can lead to fast‑spreading fires that produce toxic smoke.
Lithium‑ion battery fires develop rapidly and can be extremely difficult to extinguish, making prevention critical. To help you and your families stay safe and to reduce the risk of fire in your home from a lithium-ion battery, follow our safety advice below:
- Only buy e‑bikes, e‑scooters and chargers from reputable retailers.
- Use the correct charger supplied with the device, never mix and match chargers.
- Charge batteries on a hard, flat surface away from exits and escape routes.
- Never charge batteries while sleeping or when out of the home.
- Stop using batteries that show signs of damage, swelling, overheating or unusual smells.
- Do not modify or tamper with battery packs or motors.
- Store e‑bikes and e‑scooters away from communal areas, hallways or stairwells.
- If a battery is dropped, damaged or involved in a collision, have it checked by a qualified technician.
Head of Community Safety, Aled Griffiths said:
“We are seeing an increase in Lithium-ion battery fires in Mid and West Wales with the Service attending 11 fires in the last 12 months.
“Lithium-ion batteries are associated with e‑bikes and e‑scooters but most modern devices with rechargeable batteries contain lithium-ion batteries, they can be found inside many everyday household electricals, from laptops, mobile phones and tablets to electric toothbrushes and vapes to name a few.
“If a lithium-ion battery is improperly charged, handled, stored or disposed of there is a risk of overheating, catching fire or explosion leading to fast‑spreading fires that produce toxic smoke – causing serious injury or even loss of life.
“We are urging everybody to follow our simple advice to help stay safe in their homes”
For more information on how to correctly recycle batteries, please visit the Recycle Your Electricals and to find your nearest recycling facility, please visit the Wales Recycles website.
You can conduct a home fire safety check yourself on our website using Safelincs - an online Home Fire Safety Checker. It will take you through your home one room at a time and the simple questions will help you spot fire risks as you go.
MAWWFRS also offer Safe and Well visits where the Community Safety team can provide advice either over the phone or visit your property to provide support on home safety. You can book your visit by calling 0800 169 1234 or book online at Safe and Well Visit - Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (mawwfire.gov.uk)