Firefighters say that electric blankets, candles and portable heaters are creating increased fire risks
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More than a million and a half people now regularly work from home and London Fire Brigade is warning this could lead to more fires as people look for cheaper ways of heating their homes.
Last year there were around four fires every week in London involving electric heaters, candles and open fires, many of which could have been avoided.
There were 213 fires in London caused by candles, portable heaters and electric blankets in 2018.
More than half of these occurred between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00 and a common cause was due to portable heaters being placed too close to furniture or candles being used to light a room and falling onto carpets, papers or clothes.
Another risk for people at home is carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly maintained gas appliances such as cookers, heaters, gas fires and solid fuel burners.
To help combat this, the Brigade is holding a Safer Heating Week to ensure people who need to heat their homes throughout the day, know how to do so safely.
The Brigade’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Hearn said: “The aim of our Safer Heating Week is to highlight a regular household item like a portable heater can be dangerous if not used with care and also to encourage people who may not think of themselves as a fire risk to realise they could be.”
“It’s not just home workers that are at risk – parents, carers, students and anyone who spends a lot of time in the house could be tempted to try cheaper, dangerous alternatives to keep warm.”
“Our firefighters have attended fires caused by clothes drying over heaters and portable heaters falling over and setting light to furniture, carpets or curtains.”
Events are taking place at fire stations around London throughout this week for people to learn more about how to heat their homes safely and get advice on how to save money on their heating bills.
Partner organisations will also be attending a number of these events for people to get more information.
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HeadlineWorking from home could be a fire risk, firefighters warn
Short HeadlineWorking from home could be a 'fire risk'
StandfirstLast year there were around four fires every week in London involving electric heaters, candles and open fires, many of which could have been avoided.
More than a million and a half people now regularly work from home and London Fire Brigade is warning this could lead to more fires as people look for cheaper ways of heating their homes.
Last year there were around four fires every week in London involving electric heaters, candles and open fires, many of which could have been avoided.
There were 213 fires in London caused by candles, portable heaters and electric blankets in 2018.
More than half of these occurred between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00 and a common cause was due to portable heaters being placed too close to furniture or candles being used to light a room and falling onto carpets, papers or clothes.
Another risk for people at home is carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly maintained gas appliances such as cookers, heaters, gas fires and solid fuel burners.
To help combat this, the Brigade is holding a Safer Heating Week to ensure people who need to heat their homes throughout the day, know how to do so safely.
The Brigade’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Hearn said: “The aim of our Safer Heating Week is to highlight a regular household item like a portable heater can be dangerous if not used with care and also to encourage people who may not think of themselves as a fire risk to realise they could be.”
“It’s not just home workers that are at risk – parents, carers, students and anyone who spends a lot of time in the house could be tempted to try cheaper, dangerous alternatives to keep warm.”
“Our firefighters have attended fires caused by clothes drying over heaters and portable heaters falling over and setting light to furniture, carpets or curtains.”
Events are taking place at fire stations around London throughout this week for people to learn more about how to heat their homes safely and get advice on how to save money on their heating bills.
Partner organisations will also be attending a number of these events for people to get more information.
