In Surrey, electrical wiring and appliances are the second largest cause of domestic fires. We all know that electricity can cause fire but we may not always understand why.

The main causes are:

• Putting too many plugs into one socket by using too many adapters. This will cause too much electricity to be drawn through the circuit and make it overheat, possibly resulting in a fire.
• Damage to the wiring by constant bending and twisting; crushing it under a chair leg or other furniture, or having it regularly walked on by running it under a carpet.
• Faulty or damaged parts in an appliance, particularly in older equipment.
• Misuse of appliances such as: overloading washing machines causing the electric motor to burn out, or failing to clean out the fluff filter in a tumble drier.

• Hot plugs and sockets
• Fuses that blow for no obvious reason.
• Lights flickering.
• Brown scorch marks on sockets or plugs.