Most electrical fires in the home start with something ordinary: a power board, a heater, a phone charger left on the bed. The good news is that eight simple habits stop most of them before they start. Here are the ones we tell every customer across Mandurah, Peel & Rockingham.
1. Never Plug a Power Board into a Power Board
Plugging one extension lead or power board into another, sometimes called daisy chaining, puts the whole load through one power point and one lead. It can overheat without you noticing. If you need more power points than you have, that is a sign you need more power points, not more boards.
2. Keep Heaters Off Power Boards
Heaters, kettles, air fryers and hair dryers draw a lot of power. Plug them straight into a power point on the wall, never into a power board or extension lead, and keep heaters at least a metre away from curtains, bedding and furniture. Switch them off at the wall when you leave the room or go to bed.
3. Don’t Hide Leads Under Rugs
Leads run under rugs, carpets or furniture get crushed and worn, and the heat has nowhere to go. Keep them out in the open where you can see them, and throw away any lead with a cracked cover, a loose plug or tape holding it together.
4. Charge on a Hard Surface
Phones, tablets and laptops get hot when they charge. Charge them on a bench or table, not on a bed, couch or pillow. Use the charger that came with the device or a good quality replacement, not the cheapest one you can find online.
5. Take Care with E-bike and Scooter Batteries
Lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters can catch fire if they are damaged or charged with the wrong charger. Charge them in the garage or outside, away from exits, never overnight in a bedroom or hallway, and unplug them once they are full.
6. Clean the Dryer Filter Every Time
Lint builds up fast in a clothes dryer and it burns easily. Clear the filter after every load, and never leave the dryer running when nobody is home.
7. Use Outdoor Rated Lights and Leads Outside
With Christmas lights and summer entertaining coming up, check anything you use outside is made for outdoor use, and keep plugs and power boards off the ground and out of the rain and the reticulation.
8. Test Your Smoke Alarms Every Month
Press the test button once a month. Smoke alarms only last about 10 years, so check the date on the back. If yours are older than that, they need replacing. Read more about our smoke alarm installation.
Warning Signs That Need an Electrician
Book us straight away if you notice a power point or switch that feels warm, a burning or melting smell, scorch marks, buzzing or crackling, lights that flicker or dim, or an old switchboard with ceramic fuses. These all point to a problem in the wiring that needs a licensed electrician. Our switchboard upgrades page explains more about older boards.
Book a Safety Check
If you have relied on power boards for years, live in an older home or simply want peace of mind, we can check your switchboard, safety switches, smoke alarms and power points in one visit. We cover Mandurah, Peel & Rockingham. Book online and we will get back to you with a time.