A FIREFIGHTER has revealed the seven most dangerous things you can do in your home – and how to avoid a blaze.
Charlie Pugsley, London Fire Brigade's assistant commissioner for fire safety, told how common household items could put your life at risk if they aren't used properly.
Candles and incense burners could cause a fire if not used properly, Charlie warned.
He urged Brits to keep fire-reliant items in a heat resistant holder on a stable surface to prevent an accident. The expert also urged homeowners to extinguish flames before going to sleep.
Meanwhile, heated elements, such as hair straighteners or curling irons, must be switched off and left to cool on a heat-proof surface after use.
Charlie told The Sun: "We’re reminding people about the need to make sure they include fire safety in their beauty routines.
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"Whether its candles used during a bath or hair straighteners used in the morning, people need to ensure they always use candles safely and switch things off when they’ve finished using them.
"Only last month our crews were called to a fire in a hotel in Battersea due to a hairdryer being left on.
"Remember that hairdryers, hair tongs, and straighteners can get extremely hot. It’s very important to remember to switch them off and leave them to cool on a heatproof surface.
"We recommend using flameless candles whenever you can but if you are using wax candles or incense make sure you keep them in a heat-resistant holder on a stable surface and way from any flammable materials.
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"Be aware that tea lights get very hot and without proper holders can melt through plastic surfaces like a TV or bath.
"Always make sure any candles, incense or oil burners are extinguished before you leave the room and especially before you go to bed."
Another dangerous action involves improper use of tumble dryers and washing machines.
Charlie added: "Sadly we attend many fires – some of them fatal – caused by faulty electrical appliances such as tumble dryers, washing machines, fridges and freezers."
His tips for avoiding a blaze involve not overloading sockets with lots of energy-hungry appliances and making sure dryers are cleaned after every use.
He also says Brits should take extra care with second-hand or gifted appliances and ensure they have been safety checked.
The firefighter advised owners of pre-loved items to ensure their white goods are not listed on the product recall register.
He advised Brits to register their new appliances so manufacturers can contact you in the event of any safety problems.
Charlie added: "If you are concerned about the safety of a product stop using it and make your concern known to the retailer, manufacturer and your local Trading Standards office."
A list of recalled products is available on the gov.uk Product Recall page.
The fire brigade also reminded people about the importance of charging mobile phones safely.
Charlie said: "Batteries can present a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, exposed to extremes of temperature, submerged in water or damaged, so it’s really important to protect them against being damaged and charge them safely.
"Electrical devices should always be charged on hard flat surfaces where heat can dissipate, ensuring you use the right charger for the device and you should also make sure you unplug your charger once it’s finished charging.”
E scooters and E bikes also need to be charged safely.
Charlie said: "When battery chargers fail, they do so with ferocity and because the fires develop so rapidly, the situation can quickly become incredibly serious.
"These items are often stored in communal areas and corridors and can block people’s only means of escape.
"Another issue with fires involving lithium-ion batteries, which we see is that when they fail, they can explode or eject their contents over a wide area which can lead to multiple areas of burning in the room where the fire has started."
Brits should never store e-bikes or e-scooters in communal areas because if they are involved in a fire, it can easily block the only means of escape.
Also, if possible, avoid charging at night while you’re sleeping as if a fire starts, you will have less time to react.
And always buy from a reputable dealer to avoid buying a non-compliant or dangerous product.
Finally, Londoners are reminded about the dangers of fires caused by direct sunlight on glass objects left on window sills.
London firefighters dealt with a fire in Marble Arch back in May this year due to sunlight reflecting off a mirror on a side table.
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Charlie said: "These sorts of fires are not as rare as you would think. They can happen all year around, particularly in spring and in autumn.
"It’s really important that reflective items such as mirrors, crystals and glass ornaments are kept out of direct sunlight."
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