Dozens of fires have broken out due to Brits charging electrical items this year - and now insurer Aviva is warning consumers to be careful when plugging things in.
The insurer said it has had several claims for fires breaking out linked to faulty, damaged or incorrect chargers, or items which were left to charge for too long.
Some of the worst culprits have been e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as vapes and even an electric golf caddy.
Each claim caused at least £100,000 in damage, the insurer said.
Fires are often caused when components overheat.
The insurer added that, in many cases, the damage was worsened because customers had plugged items in to charge and then left their homes, giving them no way of stopping a small fire becoming a large one.
Aviva General Insurance data analytics lead Sarah Applegate said: “This appears to be a growing problem as the number of battery-powered items increases.
"We would strongly urge people not to leave their electrical devices unattended while being charged or leave items charging when batteries are full.
"As we see more cordless devices around the home and garden, it’s becoming even more important for householders to remain aware of fire safety when charging batteries.”
Aviva fire claims involving batteries in 2021 include:
- E-scooter batteries left on charge in the garage (value: £150,000)
- An exploding e-cigarette battery (value: £140,000)
- An electric golf caddy left on charge while the customer was away (value: £150,000)
- Overheating of lithium batteries from a model aircraft (value: £120,000)
Applegate added: “The number of claims caused by chargers is actually relatively small in relation to fire claims overall. We tend to see more fire claims as a result of candles and garden fires, for example.
"However, because people don’t tend to think of chargers as a fire hazard, they often leave them unattended, which means the damage can be worse and more disruptive for customers.”
How to keep safe charging items
Aviva had some top tips to help Brits stay safe when plugging in electrical goods.
1) Always use genuine chargers, not cheap replacements - which can easily overheat.
2) Replace your charger if it becomes faulty or if wires are exposed or fraying.
3) Don’t leave batteries charging when you go out.
4) Stop charging your device as soon as the battery is full, and don’t leave items charging overnight.
5) Put your device on a non-flammable surface when charging. Avoid materials such as clothes, bedding, cushions or paper and don’t cover devices while they are charging
6) Don’t overload electrical sockets.
7) Store batteries responsibly. Don’t expose them to extreme cold or heat.
