Why UK Homes Face Increased Electrical Fires in Winter!

Winters demand more use of electrical appliances and wiring installations. Most electrical fires arise due to bad fittings and faulty installations. More than five out of every ten electrical fires are caused by electrical products. There are so many accidental fires, especially in winter, that this needs to be addressed. That's why you might need an emergency electrician near me.

The holiday season introduces unique electrical challenges, such as complex lighting displays that overwhelm existing electrical systems.

Do you need an electrician near you? Homes in the UK face such issues due to faulty sockets, light fixtures and fittings, portable heaters, extension leads, and outdated wiring systems.

Outdated Wiring

An old house that has heavily outdated electrical systems might be unable to handle new electrical appliances like computers, washing machines, heaters, boilers, game consoles, and more. Therefore, outdated wiring needs to be changed so that it doesn't cause electrical fires. To keep your house safe, you can even know about what every UK homeowner should know about aluminium wiring risks.

The old electrical wires are outdated and need to be replaced. They are a common cause of electrical fires in UK homes during winter. A 24-hour electrician can help with such replacements.

Sometimes, there could be increased condensation in electrical outlets. Higher humidity can accelerate electrical component corrosion. The older properties have weak electrical systems. There could be potential short-circuiting risks from moisture accumulation.

Increased Electrical Load

Winter demands substantially more from home electrical systems. More time spent indoors means constant use of heating appliances. Electric blankets, heaters, and additional lighting are used more. Kitchen appliances are operated more frequently during festive seasons.

Electrical Lighting

How can you prevent electrical fires in winter? Most electrical fires are caused by Christmas lighting. When you step out of your home during Christmas without checking the safety of the decoration lights, you might cause a hazard. Overloading your outlet can be dangerous. Real Christmas trees are more prone to catching fire than artificial ones as the needles dry. Therefore, there are several risks of overloading sockets with Christmas lights.

Dryers

Most dryer electrical mishaps occur in winter. This generally occurs due to the extensive use of dryers in winter, the buildup of lint and dust, and the unit's inability to regulate hot hair properly. These buildups actually fuel the fire. Statistics on winter electrical fires in the UK show that such mishaps are more common in winter.

Ageing Infrastructure

Several UK homes, especially in older urban areas, feature electrical systems not designed for modern power consumption, and outdated wiring is struggling with modern electrical demands. Deteriorating insulation in older properties, electrical circuits originally installed decades ago, and insufficient circuit protection mechanisms. Therefore, the importance of regular electrical inspections in older homes cannot be missed.

Portable Heaters

Colder months mean more need for heaters. Electrical heaters bring convenience and efficiency to staying warm during winter. Still, the fact cannot be ignored that they are one of the leading causes of electrical fires in the UK. They are caused by old heaters, damaged heaters, and improper heater maintenance.

Local electricians can help you avoid electrical fires. In case of an emergency, you could turn off the fuse box immediately. A common cause of fuse box fires is when the unit overheats and melts. This creates black smoke and invites more hazards. You need an emergency electrician to handle them.

The experts can even help you with safety tips for using electric heaters and blankets.

When it is cold, homeowners rely on electrical devices to stay warm and cosy. When safety hazards are not taken care of, portable heating units are at risk of fire. Do not leave the heaters unattended. Make sure you turn them off while leaving the house or when going to bed. Keep monitoring them to be sure that they are not overheated.

In case of electrical fires, contact experts so that they can handle the situation professionally and carefully. RyGroup has electrical professionals who can fix all emergency electrical issues.