DOMESTIC appliance fires in Cheshire rose by more than 20 per cent last year, latest Home Office figures reveal.

The figures, which were analysed by appliances insurer Prominence Support, show that there are almost 300 fires across the country every week caused by home appliances, with cookers being the most prevalent source.

Despite an overall year on year decrease from 2010, a year which nationwide saw 19,067 domestic appliance fires, the number in Cheshire rose from just 18 in 2018 to 23 last year, putting it in the top five counties seeing such an increase.

However, Steve McCormick, Prevention Manager at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said the latest figures were actually less than they have been recorded in previous years for the county, when 35 and 39 fires were reported between April 2016 and March 2018.

He said: “There were 23 fires involving white goods – large domestic electrical goods that are typically white in colour – in Cheshire between April 2019 and March 2020, compared to 18 in the previous year.

"This represents a 27.8 per cent increase.

“Nine of the fires between April 2019 and March 2020 involved washing machines and six involved tumble dryers.

“The other fires involved dishwashers (three), fridge freezers (three), a spin dryer (one) and a washer/dryer combined (one).

“As with all domestic fires, these can put lives as well as homes at risk.

“There are a number of steps that people can take to prevent fires involving white goods.

“When purchasing any electrical appliance, it is important that you register it, so that if it is subject to a product recall you will get an early notification advising what to do.

“Where practicable, white goods should always be turned off when not in use. Appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines/dryers should be used when you are at home, but never whilst you are in bed.

“Appliances should also have a British or European safety mark and be kept clean and in good working order – look out for fuses that blow and circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reason.

“It is also important to regularly check for frayed or worn cables and wires – make sure that the cable is fastened securely to the plug and check the socket for scorch marks.

“Always check that you use the right fuse to prevent overloading, and never overload plug sockets –an extension lead or adaptor will have a limit to how many amps it can take.

“The importance of having at least one working smoking alarm on every floor of your home to give you early detection of a fire cannot be emphasised enough.

“We also advise people to carry out a fire safety assessment of their home and have escape plans in the event of a fire for each room.

“If anyone finds a fire in their home, they should not try to tackle it themselves but get out of the property as quickly as possible, stay out and dial 999.”

For more fire safety advice, including advice regarding tumble dryers, smoke alarms and escape plans, visit https://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/home-safety.”