Fire Services urges residents to Take Charge and Be Safe!

04/09/2023

Residents are being urged to keep their homes and families safe from fire by taking extra care with electrical appliances.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to Take Charge and Be Safe by keeping in mind some simple steps when using electrical devices, especially those with Lithium-Ion batteries. By following a few simple safety measures, like adding fire safety to your bedtime routine and being awake when using and charging some devices or appliances, people can keep themselves and their families safe in their homes.

Group Commander Rob Olivier, head of Fire Prevention, said: “Electrical devices are a key part to everyday life for most people. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops and games console controllers, as well as vehicles like e-bikes and scooters are used daily and need to be powered to do so. Most devices come with failsafe features to ensure they do not overheat when being charged, but rely on the manufacturers provided charging cables and adapters to work. Also, using the plugs and wires supplied with product rather than cheaper versions will help charge devices safely.

“Most people will be charging some kind of electrical device on a regular basis, such as a mobile phone, tablet or game controller. These contain batteries that can heat up if over charged, which can cause a fire. Many people will also be making use of electrical vehicles, like bikes and scooters, that require charging. These batteries are larger and require more power.

“We are urging residents to Take Charge and Be Safe by only charging their devices when they are awake and alert, so they can be ready to respond should an emergency happen. Simple things like charging a mobile phone during the day rather than overnight for example, means the device won’t be overcharged and risk overheating the battery. This can be the same for any device. Also, not overloading sockets with multiple things charging at once will help reduce the risk of a fire.

“We recently saw the tragic consequence of when a fire starts due to a charging device in Cambridge, where a mother and her two children died when the fire quickly took hold and spread through their home. Our crews, the family and the local community are still recovering from this devastating loss.”

One thing that all residents can do is to plan a good bedtime routine. Things like making sure all internal doors are closed, electrical sockets are switched off, any candles or heating appliances are off and keeping hallways and stairs clear of obstructions. This will not only help prevent a fire from happening but also ensure an easy escape if one does.

Rob added: “Many fires in the home start at night while people are asleep. This can be down to a number of different causes, but can be easily avoided by following a few simple tips, as well as having working smoke alarms on each floor of your home. A bedtime routine is a great way to help you and your family stay fire safe in your home. By following a few simple tips before heading to bed for the night, you can prevent a fire from happening or, if one does break out, stop it from spreading."

Over the coming weeks more information, including key advice for residents to Take Charge and Be Safe will be released on the Service’s social media channels. Make sure CFRS is in your feed by liking and following us.

Residents can also use our online home safety check to carry out their own fire risk assessment of their home. This simple to use tool goes through each area of a property and generates a safety plan for the occupants to follow. The check can be carried out on behalf of a vulnerable family member. Find out more in our Home Fire Safety section.