DON'T OVERLOAD SOCKETS - MUIR TIPS TO MAKE SURE ELECTRICALS STAY SAFE
GADGETS, chargers and household electricals all need power, but avoid shocks to the system by not overloading sockets and extension cables in your Muir home.
Overloading sockets can present a fire hazard or leave you or your family at risk of a sudden shock – so follow the below advice from 'Electrical Safety First' to help stay safe around the house.
It could save your life.
- Only use one socket extension lead per socket and never plug an extension lead into another extension lead.
- Use a multi-way bar extension lead rather than a block adaptor, as this will put less strain on the wall socket. Some block adaptors don’t have a fuse, which increases the risk of overloading and fire.
- Consider having additional sockets installed if you regularly rely on extension leads and adaptors.
- Check regularly for the following danger signs:
- a smell of hot plastic or burning near an appliance or socket
sparks or smoke coming from a plug or appliance- blackness or scorch marks around a socket or plug, or on an appliance
- damaged or frayed leads
- coloured wire inside leads showing at the plug or anywhere else
- melted plastic on appliance casings or leads
- fuses that blow or circuit-breakers that operate for no obvious reason
- Check the current rating of the extension lead before plugging appliances into it. Most are rated at 13 A, but some are rated at only 10 A or less - the rating should be clearly marked on the back or underside of the extension lead. If not, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Never overload an extension lead by plugging in appliances that together will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. This could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a fire.
Visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/overloadingsockets to use an online ‘socket overload calculator’ to check your appliances and learn more about using sockets safely.