Half of all fires caused by electrical items

HALF of all house fires in South Yorkshire last year were caused by faulty or misused electrical items, new figures have revealed.

The greatest proportion of these 400 electrical fires also occurred during the winter months.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) is now warning people not to “set their world alight” as part of Electrical Fire Safety Week, which was launched yesterday. Diane Malpass, head of community safety at SYFR, said: “Electrical equipment is an inescapable part of all our lives, from essentials like heating and lights to luxuries like entertainment systems or beauty products.

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“Half of all accidental fires begin with an electrical appliance, so it’s really important to be sure that your electrics are in good working order and are used properly.

“Most electrical fires start in the kitchen, so be extra careful with cooking equipment.”

Ms Malpass added: “Fire in the home can be devastating, but many of these fires are preventable. By following some simple steps, you can help keep safe from fire.”

Tips include not overloading plug sockets and checking for frayed or worn wires.