Navigating Fire Risk in the Cost-of-Living Crisis
As the cost-of-living crisis worsens across the breadth of the UK, there is concern that that the economic situation will push people into putting themselves at additional risk from electrical goods fires. Earlier this year, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) urged people to ensure that they are taking fire safety precautions in the home.
There is a common misconception that it is cheaper to use electricity during off-peak night-time hours, but this has been strongly refuted by the NFCC. By running tumble dryers and washing machines overnight, occupants expose themselves to a greater risk from undetected fires.
To negate these fire safety issues, the following steps are advised:
Have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted
Ensure that you are purchasing any electrical products from reputable retailers
As winter approaches, make yourself aware of the dangers associated with portable heaters and electric blankets; these products must be in good working order and not subject to any recalls (see our ‘How to use electric heaters safely’ post)
Register appliances and sign up to recall alerts
You can register your appliances and be alerted of recalls through the Infoo app. By uploading the product label, the app checks the data against current and previous recalls - helping consumers across the UK ensure that their homes and families are safe.
To download our app, visit www.infoo.com/app-landing
