There are particular danger signs you can look out for on all electrical items. 

For plugs and sockets, flip the pictures below:

Badly wired plugs – any colour wires sticking out could come loose and debris could also get into the plug.Overloaded sockets – plugging too many electrical appliances into one socket can lead to overheating. Hot plugs or sockets, scorch marks, fuses that blow or flickering lights. These are all signs of possible loose wiring or other electrical problems.

Risks with cables and leads, flip the pictures below: 

Getting frayed and damaged – make sure the outer coverings of all power leads are in good condition and replace them if necessary. 

Never do the following with electrical appliances, flip the pictures below: 

Faulty electrics (appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 6,000 fires in the home across the country every year. 

10 must-knows for electrical device safety

These are the London Fire Brigade’s essential tips for avoiding electrical fires:

1. Always make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them.
2. Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order.
3. Don’t buy cheap counterfeit chargers for items that use lithium batteries, and never leave phones or laptops plugged in to charge overnight – learn more about charger safety here.
4. Empty fluff regularly from tumble dryers in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Hair straighteners can get extremely hot – always switch them off and leave them to cool on a heatproof surface.
6. Try to keep to one plug per socket, especially for high powered appliances like washing machines.
7. Always check that you’re using the right fuse – if you’re confused, check out our guide to fuses.  
8. Be lead safety savvy – cable drum extension leads should always be completely unwound to avoid overheating, and be careful not to overload extension leads.
9. Register your white goods – it could save your life if a product is recalled for safety reasons.
10. Share your fire safety knowledge with the whole family – check the kids’ chargers, and make sure everyone knows how to use electric blankets safely.

If you think something looks faulty, report it or get if fixed straight away.