The leading cause of accidental fires in British homes is product misuse, which has climbed by more than a third since 2009.
Millions of individuals make fundamental electrical safety mistakes in their homes without recognising they are putting themselves at risk of fire or electric shock.
Modern living entails the use of an increasing number of electrical gadgets in the home. Electrical beauty appliance use continues to be on the rise and involves tools such as hair dryers, hair straighteners and curlers.
Top tips when using electrical beauty appliances
Hair Straighteners and Curlers
Straighteners and curlers can cause severe burns if they come into contact with the skin, and children are especially sensitive because their skin is 15 times thinner than adults.
The majority of child hair straightener burns occur when toddlers touch, grasp, or walk on the hot straightener plates. Almost half of all adults have also been burned by a heated hair appliance.
Therefore, we advise you to:
- Keep hair straighteners/curlers out of reach of children.
- Use a heatproof pouch - Hair straighteners can remain hot for up to forty minutes after being turned off. Once you’ve finished using the hair straighter/curler, unplug it and let it cool on a heat-resistant surface, then place it in a heat-proof pouch.
- Seek medical attention immediately in the case of a serious burn.
Hair Dryers
A hairdryer is needed in practically every home, and many people use it on a daily basis. However, it's important to be mindful of the following:
- Check the cord of your hair dryer regularly for any signs of damage. If you spot any damage, replace it.
- Don’t block the air openings of your hair dryer – keep them free of hair and lint, and don’t leave the dryer on a soft surface while it's in use.
- Always unplug your hair dryer from the mains when you're not using it.
Epilators and Shavers
As handy as these are, like any electrical appliance, they should be treated with caution:
- RCD (residual current device) protection should be installed in any socket where an epilator or shaver will be charged. An RCD is a life-saving device that prevents harmful electric shock and lowers the risk of electrical fires. If your fuse box does not include RCD protection for your sockets, consider using an RCD plug to safeguard yourself and your house from major appliance problems.
- If you use the epilator or shaver in the bathroom, do not use an extension cord.
- Check that the voltage on the adaptor corresponds to the local mains voltage before you plug it in.
- Avoid rinsing or submerging in water, and keep the plug and cable dry.
Stay Safe
It's easy to use these everyday household appliances without thinking of the risks involved - however, it's vital to keep electrical safety in the back of your mind at all times and you'll help keep your home and family safe from the risk of danger.