Did the fire brigade say this to me just to frighten me

Viberduo

Had a free safety visit and despite living away from home 15 years and my habits always being the same I have never had a fire, not saying I never will but I do things like switch off sockets when not in use but certain things like microwave I leave turned on most of the time just make sure dial is set to zero.

Anyway I was told that every socket in the house is overloaded, but if something is not in use I turn it off by the switch on the item i.e games console so its not even on standby its totally off and have my games consoles plugged into a surge protector with individual on off switches which are off when not in use.

So my main only has a pc, a digibox, a tv, a monitor and a 2nd screen plugged into one socket,

In the bedroom I have the same but everything is switched off but I was told the only way it is safe is if the plugs are removed and only used when needed and this has worried me but I am thinking worse case scenario they have told me.

societys_child

Sounds like the adviser was talking bollox, they often do . .

Viberduo

societys_child wrote: »

Sounds like the adviser was talking bollox, they often do . .

It was the actual fire brigade, they turned up in a fire engine lol.

My dad used to say my plugs were a fire risk years ago but I just saw it as scaring me so I dont think its wrong just worse case scenario.

He just told me that the plugs were overloaded and the only safe time is when they are turned off at mains even if the device is switched off by a switch on the device.ie a on/off button on a ps3(not on standby)

ifonlyitwaseasier

they'd have a fit if they saw mine, off one socket we have an extension lead with 2 more extension leads into it, plus chargers and lamps. the 2 extensions run chargers, pcs, tv etc etc.

i'm surprised we haven't burnt to a crisp already!

Viberduo

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

they'd have a fit if they saw mine, off one socket we have an extension lead with 2 more extension leads into it, plus chargers and lamps. the 2 extensions run chargers, pcs, tv etc etc.

i'm surprised we haven't burnt to a crisp already!

Lol, well all my extensions are only in 1 socket and all extension are surge protected and have a heater in a socket without a surge protector, a microwave in another without a surge protector.

Most of my extensions have 6 connections on them and have never tripped anything bar once when a plug physically broke and tripped..

G_M

If you doubt their advice (yes, I expect they were trying to frighten you - they see lots of fires started at sockets) then speak to an electrician for 2nd expert opinion.

Or ask here.

Viberduo

Thanks, it wasnt that I doubted them as much as I thought it was just exaggerated to frighten me and its a good point about electrician as a few months ago I had a socket replaced after my electric fire died and all he said was about the electric fire itself not anything else.

chris_m

Provided every extension cable is correctly fused, i.e. 13A if the extension is rated at that, 5A if that's what it is and definitely no more than 13A in the first cable from the wall since that'll be what the wall socket is rated as, I can't see an overloading problem. If you try to power too much at once the fuse will blow.

Too many extension cables daisychained could lead to another sort of tripping hazard though

Old_Git

I remember a kettle going bang in the middle off the night .It had water in it and hadnt been used for hours .

I_have_spoken

I was told the only way it is safe is if the plugs are removed

What a crock!

hcb42

they will always give you the bleakest view, but why overload sockets...better safe than sorry.

I have never had a fire either, biggest worrying item I have is an electric blanket, I am definitely more cautious with that item than most others.