Kettles, heaters and toasters must always be plugged directly into wall sockets, according to experts, who warn that using extension leads with these high-powered appliances can cause fires.
High-powered appliances pose a fire risk
Extension leads are a common household item, but they are among the leading causes of electrical fires in the UK. Many people do not realise that certain appliances should never be connected to them because they draw too much power.
Charanjit Mannu, Director at Elec Training, said: "The statistics are alarming, we attend numerous callouts where extension leads have caused fires simply because people don't understand which appliances are too powerful for them."
Which appliances should be plugged into the wall
The three appliances that must always be plugged into wall sockets are kettles, heaters and toasters. Charanjit explained: "These three items draw massive amounts of current - far more than most extension leads can safely handle. A typical kettle uses around 3000 watts, electric heaters can use 3000 watts or more, and toasters typically use 800-1500 watts."
When extension leads overheat, the plastic casing can melt and ignite surrounding materials. Coiling extension leads while in use makes the problem worse by concentrating heat in one area.
Safety checks and warning signs
Cheap, unbranded extension leads pose an additional danger. Charanjit said: "Always check that any extension lead you buy has proper safety markings and fuses. The cheap unmarked ones from online marketplaces often lack basic safety features and can be extremely dangerous."
Figures from the London Fire Brigade show that overloaded sockets are among the most common causes of electrical fires. They advise always choosing fused 'inline' style extensions rather than cube-type adaptors.
Routine checks for deterioration or damage are recommended. Charanjit said: "Frayed cables, burn marks, or loose connections are all warning signs. Never try fixing damaged extension leads with electrical tape - always replace them immediately."
