How everyday appliances can turn into fire hazards

Japan’s National Institute of Technology and Evaluation found there had been 219 such accidents in the country between 2019 and 2024, 182 of them resulting in fires.

Electric sockets can be fire hazards. Photo by Pexels

It said most of them were due to damaged or improperly used electrical connection components and urged the public to take five key precautions:

Stop using an appliance immediately if the plug is deformed or unusually hot.

Stepping on, pulling or bending a plug can cause poor contact, overheating and fire. Burn marks, unusual heat or flickering power are signs the appliance should be disconnected immediately.

Dust around plugs can cause short circuits

A loose plug can cause dust and moisture buildup, resulting in short circuits or current leakage. Unplug before cleaning, wipe with a dry cloth, and never spray liquids into socket holes.

Avoid bending, stepping on or yanking power cords

Impact or bending can break a cord’s copper core, causing overheating or fire. Keep cords clear of chair legs and unplug by holding the plug, never the cord.

Replace loose plugs immediately

Frequent plugging can loosen a socket’s metal contacts, causing poor connection and overheating. If a plug wobbles or slips out, replace the socket or call a technician.

Avoid overloading extension cords

Every extension cord has a maximum power rating. Plugging in multiple high-power devices at once can overheat the cord, damage insulation and start a fire. Check device instructions to prevent overloading.