Safety Rules for the Operation of Electrical Appliances 1. Before using electrical appliances, carefully read the operating instructions. 2. Do not use electrical appliances with damaged cords or plugs. 3. Do not leave electrical appliances unattended while they are in use. 4. Do not use electrical appliances in damp areas unless they are specifically designed for such use. 5. Connect electrical appliances only to verified outlets. 6. Do not overload the electrical network by connecting too man

Fires often occur due to short circuits when using electrical wiring with damaged insulation or due to overloading the electrical network when multiple household appliances are plugged into one outlet simultaneously. Heating of wires and their ignition in this case occurs if homemade inserts (bugs) are used instead of standard fuses, which do not protect the electrical network. Sometimes fires also occur due to improper use of household electrical appliances.

On March 19, 2023, at 18:30, rescuers received a report of a fire in an apartment on Baghramyan Street in Vitebsk. Emergency Ministry units were immediately dispatched to the scene. The first unit to arrive was led by rescuer Vitaly Bityay. As Vitaly later recounted, neighbors and witnesses were gathered near the entrance of the apartment building, and a woman reported that an apartment on the fifth floor was on fire. On the fifth-floor landing, one of the Emergency Ministry workers heard coughing and wheezing from the apartment where the fire had started. Inside, in the corridor, a woman was crouching on the floor; smoke was choking her throat, and she could not say anything. The rescuer brought her to the stairwell, where she was immediately assisted by colleagues from the Vityaz squad and taken outside. Later, a woman born in 1983 and her son, born in 2020, who had been carried out of the apartment by their father, were hospitalized with smoke inhalation. During further reconnaissance and examination of the floors, rescuers found a woman born in 1974 and her son born in 2006 on the ninth floor, who were brought to fresh air with the help of masks. As a result of the fire, the walls and ceiling of the apartment were blackened, and property in the living room was destroyed. The apartment owner, born in 1970, did not require medical assistance. An investigation is underway regarding this incident, and the cause of the fire is being determined. The version being considered is a violation of the rules for the operation of electrical networks and equipment.

At around 6 PM on March 21, 2023, rescuers received a report of a fire in an apartment on Yubileynaya Street in the agro-town of Tulovo in the Vitebsk region. Upon arrival at the scene, Emergency Ministry units observed smoke in the stairwell. A family lived in the apartment: a husband and wife and two minor children – a boy born in 2019 and a girl born in 2014. At the time of the fire, only the girl was in the apartment: the father was at work, and the mother was out with the other child. Upon returning home, the woman discovered the fire and carried her child to fresh air. The father, who had returned home by that time, immediately took her to the hospital. After examination for smoke inhalation, the girl was hospitalized. An investigation is underway regarding this incident, and the most likely version of the fire's origin is a violation of the rules for the operation of electrical networks and equipment (a short circuit of the charger).

To safely use electrical equipment, it is recommended to study the operating instructions, use power strips to prevent electrical appliances from catching fire due to voltage surges and fluctuations in the network, regularly remove dust from the back of the refrigerator, and always turn off electrical appliances when leaving home.

It is not uncommon for a burning wiring smell to appear in a room. What should you do? First, you need to cut off the power to the house or apartment. The solution is to turn off the circuit breaker. If there is old wiring and meters, unscrew the fuses. The next step is to check all electrical appliances in the house and disconnect them from the outlets.

Household appliances are often the cause of fires. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect microwave ovens, refrigerators, televisions, etc. Also, if the smell is localized, check the wiring near the ceiling light fixture.

If it is impossible to determine the source of the fire by smell, visually inspect the rooms, their walls, the places where electrical appliances are connected, and extension cords. For example, a circuit breaker or outlet may catch fire. If this happens, it is essential to take repair actions. Of course, calling an electrician is the most correct decision. However, it is still worth checking everything yourself beforehand. Since, with a high probability, the source of the smoke is household appliances, and to eliminate the problem, it is necessary to turn them off.

In case of a fire hazard, call the Emergency Ministry at: 101 or 112. If nothing dangerous or frightening has occurred, it is advisable to call the housing maintenance service and request a specialist.

To protect yourself and your family from fire in your home or apartment, remember and follow the fire safety rules when using electrical appliances:

-before using an electrical appliance, carefully read the operating instructions;

-repair electrical appliances in a timely manner (trust repairs only to professionals);

-to prevent electrical appliances from catching fire due to voltage surges and fluctuations in the network, use power strips;

-place heating appliances, including irons, electric stoves, and electric kettles, on non-combustible surfaces. If the cord or plug of the appliance heats up during operation, immediately turn it off and disconnect it from the power supply;

-regularly remove dust from the back of the refrigerator;

-do not block the ventilation openings in the television case and do not place the television near heating appliances, curtains, or drapes that can easily catch fire;

-do not leave the television on unattended, and when leaving home, disconnect the television from the power supply, as even in standby mode, its main components are under voltage.

When leaving home, do not forget to turn off all electrical appliances completely, including the television, computer, and mobile phone chargers.

We remind you that the service life and maintenance of electrical appliances, including refrigerators, are specified by the manufacturer in the attached operating instructions. Operating electrical appliances beyond their service life increases the likelihood of fire in residential buildings and apartments.