An initiative to cut down on fires from electrical appliances connected to European style plugs by supplying adaptors for UK 3-pin sockets has been welcomed by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association.
The Electrical Safety Council is supplying the adaptors to fire and rescue services across the UK. Fire and rescue services have come across examples of people forcing European 2-pin plugs into UK sockets, which could increase the risk of an electrical fire. The initiative is aimed particularly at migrant communities, where examples of this practice have been found.
“The latest government figures show that the main cause of accidental dwelling fires is the misuse of equipment/electrical appliances,” said chief fire officer Lee Howell, chairman of the National Prevention Committee. “CFOA welcomes any opportunity to reduce the chance of fires caused by electrical equipment and this initiative does just that.”
One example of a fire believed to have been caused by such a misuse of appliances was at a farm building in Scotland, which was being used as overspill accommodation for migrant workers. The remains of two European style 2-pin plugs, one connected to a hairdryer and the other to a small heating element used to heat water, were found in the subsequent investigation. The most probable cause of the fire was the overheating or arcing of the plug connected to the heating element, which caused the heating and ignition of the plastic body of the cable reel to which is was attached.
