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Home Electrical Safety

Electrical fires in the home

Electrical fires can start from overloaded accessories, damaged wiring, unsafe appliances, poor connections, faulty chargers or installations that have not been inspected for many years.

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Key guidance

This page is part of the TESC electrical safety guidance library.

Common electrical fire risks

  • Overloaded extension leads and multi-way adaptors.
  • Damaged sockets, plugs and flexible cables.
  • Loose connections causing heat at terminals.
  • Old or damaged consumer units.
  • Unsafe chargers, batteries and online marketplace electrical products.

Warning signs to take seriously

  • Burning smells near sockets, switches or consumer units.
  • Discolouration, scorching or crackling sounds.
  • Repeated tripping of protective devices.
  • Warm plugs, adaptors or extension leads.
  • Flickering lights that are not linked to a known supply issue.

Reducing risk

  • Do not ignore overheating, burning smells or visible damage.
  • Avoid daisy chaining extension leads.
  • Use electrical products from reputable sources.
  • Arrange inspection where an installation is old, altered or showing warning signs.

Check electrical safety records

Where an EICR has been filed with TESC, the register can help confirm the recorded certificate status.

TESC guidance is designed to support safer homes, clearer compliance records and better electrical safety decision-making for landlords, tenants, agents, contractors and the public.

Check the EICR Register Extension Lead Safety

Use the TESC guidance centre

Explore EICR guidance, product safety information, landlord compliance resources and contractor verification support.

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