Safety experts are warning anyone using electric heaters this winter to never plug them into extension leads. The advice comes as temperatures drop and more people rely on portable heaters to warm single rooms without running central heating.
Why Extension Leads Are Dangerous
Popular British YouTuber Kip Hakes shared the tip on Facebook, saying: "As it's getting colder in the UK, it's really important to remind you of this potentially life saving tip." He added: "NEVER plug electric heaters into extension leads - they should go into sockets on the wall. You'll end up with a scorched extension lead at best, or a house fire at worst."
Electrical firm DRA Electricals echoed this on its website: "We cannot stress the importance of this enough – please, please, please do not, ever, plug electric heaters (of any kind) into extension leads." The firm advised plugging heaters directly into mains sockets and turning them off when not in use.
Newcastle Office Incident
DRA Electricals described a "true story" of a fire caused by this exact issue. A receptionist in a Newcastle office had plugged a heater with a sealed plug into a cheap extension lead, which was then plugged into another extension.
The cable reel was coiled up inside and was powering a printer, a franking machine, the other extension lead, and the heater. The firm advised staff to plug the heater directly into the wall, but the next day the manager reported the guidance had not been followed.
The heater had been plugged back into the extension lead, causing the extension socket to overheat and melt. Although no actual flames were seen, the white plug was clearly burnt. The firm noted it was "a miracle no further damage was caused" and that the incident happened while someone was in the room, not during the night when the heater might have been left unattended.
