FIRE HAZARDS IN THE HOME

Find out which hidden danger may be lurking in your home.

Most homeowners know the drill for reducing the risk of a house fire: closely monitor cooking, candles, and fireplaces. They also refrain from smoking indoors.

Matches and lighters are also stored away where children cannot reach them.

1. Worn electrical cords

The electrical cords on any appliances that you frequently move – such as your vacuum cleaner or power tools, or even your laptop - can end up taking a great deal of abuse.

Although power cords have no expiration date, they can wear out over time as they are used and abused.

For instance, the insulation around the power cord can wear away, either from the cord's overheating or through misuse. If you've ever been guilty of pulling the vacuum cord out of the outlet by the cord itself rather than the plug, you may have weakened the insulation that surrounds the electrical cables.

Similarly, electrical cords that run through high-traffic areas may lose their insulation as they are repeatedly stepped on.

Cords that get caught or pinched between heavy furniture can see the same kind of damage.

Cords that have lost their insulation can potentially electrocute you, not to mention the fact that they are a serious home fire hazard.

Although all these precautions are an excellent start for promoting fire safety at home, they don't necessarily protect you from every fire hazard. Here are 10 home fire hazards you might not realise you have, and how to safely use, store or dispose of each item to reduce the risk of fire.

How to protect your home

If any appliances or extension cords in your home get hot to the touch or show signs of wear, do not use them. You can recycle worn extension cords.

You can prevent your cords from wearing out in the first place by:

• Keeping cords out of the path of any foot traffic