A family in Nuneaton had a terrifyingly close call on Boxing Day after a fire, sparked by overloaded electrical goods, filled a child's bedroom with thick, toxic smoke.
A Lucky Escape in the Early Hours
Fire crews and paramedics were called to the family home in the early hours of December 26. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, which firefighters have described as a stark warning to all households.
The blaze was traced to a dangerous practice known as 'daisy chaining' – where one extension lead is plugged into another. This overloaded the electrical circuit, causing a lithium-ion battery in a device to fail and ignite.
The 'Silent Killer' Risk of Toxic Smoke
A spokesperson for Nuneaton Fire Station labelled the incident a warning about a 'silent killer'. They explained that many people are unaware of how quickly smoke can overcome a person, especially while they are asleep.
"Most people don't realise that it only takes a few mouthfuls of smoke to render a person unconscious," the spokesperson said. "In a sleeping household, this happens before you even have a chance to wake up."
The warning is particularly urgent after Christmas, when many children receive new toys and gadgets that require charging.
Critical Fire Safety Advice for Every Home
Firefighters have issued clear guidance to prevent similar disasters. Plugging extension leads into each other is a major fire risk, as they are not designed to handle the combined electrical load and can overheat rapidly, often behind furniture or near bedding.
Their key safety advice includes:
- NEVER daisy chain extension leads. If you need more sockets, use a single, fused multi-plug bar instead.
- NEVER charge devices overnight or while you are out of the house.
- ALWAYS charge devices on a hard, flat surface like a desk, never on carpets, sofas, or beds.
- TEST your smoke alarms weekly to ensure they are working.
"Don’t let a Christmas gift turn into a disaster," the fire service spokesperson warned, urging all residents to immediately check their electrical setups.
