Beware switching off central heating in favour of appliances, warns fire service
Residents who are looking to save money on rising energy bills by switching off their central heating and swapping to old heating appliances have been warned to take care.
The fire service covering the Tenbury Wells, Leominster, Leintwardine and Bromyard area says that in the 10 years to December 31, 2021, some 234 house fires were caused by heating appliances, resulting in four deaths and 53 injuries in 37 incidents.
Electric blankets, space heaters and wood burners have been included in the alert issued by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS).
Emma Roberts, the HWFRS head of prevention, said: "Portable heating equipment and electric blankets that haven’t been used for a while should be checked for broken cabling or exposed wires, and no portable heating appliance should ever be covered or left unattended.
