Not long to go now until the big day and if you’re anything like the team here at Dalec, the chances are you’re already looking forward to a huge Christmas dinner!

However, you might not realise that around half of all house fires start in the kitchen and with this in mind; we thought we’d take the opportunity to offer some advice on electrical safety in the kitchen.

Kitchen fires start for all sorts of reasons but the majority are due to unattended pans, dodgy wiring or electrical sockets coming into contact with water.  Provided you follow a few simple safety rules though, your kitchen will be a much safer place.

The majority of modern kitchens include an incredible selection of appliances and gadgets so it’s very important that you have enough plug sockets.  Sockets should never be overloaded and regardless of the size of your kitchen, stretching a cable to reach a socket is a definite no-no.  Sockets must be positioned well away from the sink and any other sources of water.

It goes without saying that electrical kitchen appliances must meet current British safety standards, however if used incorrectly, they can still be very dangerous.  Small appliances like kettles and toasters should be turned off when they’re not in use and you should ensure that electrical cables are kept well away from sources of heat or moisture. Never, ever put a toaster or kettle underneath curtains or blinds.

If you’re thinking of investing in a new kitchen, or simply updating the one you have, here at Dalec we are happy to provide advice on electrical safety in the kitchen.  Our services are available to homeowners in Leeds and whether you’d like a quote for a couple of extra sockets or an electrical installation, we’d be happy to help.