With another heatwave forecast this week, and Londoners looking for ways to cool down, fire investigators at London Fire Brigade are issuing a safety warning on using and buying fans.
Following a spate of fires caused by fans, where property has been damaged and users have sustained injuries, firefighters want to ensure people buy from a reputable seller and avoid online social media platforms, where product safety might not be guaranteed.
DJ (43) lives in the East End, during the last spell of hot weather he bought a hand fan from a social media platform. DJ said: “The first time I used the hand fan was on the day it was delivered. When it arrived, I charged it with the cable that came with it. I turned it on to use while sitting on the sofa with my 12-year-old nephew in the living room and it suddenly burst into flames.
“I was really scared as it could have burnt my whole house down. There was a lot of flames and smoke. I rushed outside with it and called the fire brigade. I was really shook up and my mum was frightened too. The firefighters were really great and treated the burn on my hand.
“I want to make sure people are aware of the dangers, as it could have been a lot worse. I had a lucky escape. If it had happened in the bedroom with a child, then it could have been a really devastating outcome. I’d definitely recommend not buying from an online marketplace again.“
In June, a hand fan bought at a market stall also caused a fire at a flat in Thamesmead on the same day it was purchased. The battery exploded while it was on charge and the casing lodged itself in the ceiling of the flat. Other recent incidents involving fans include:
- a floor standing fan fire damaged a room at an Erith house, after it was left on all day long.
- a fire in a Southwark flat, where a floor standing fan had been left on for several days and burst into flames damaging part of the second floor flat.
- A fan left unattended on a bed in Plumstead, it destroyed a small part of the first floor in a mid-terraced house.
Station Commander Rob Hill from the Brigade’s Fire Investigation team, said: “Our fire investigators go to incidents across the city, seeing first-hand the consequences faulty or unsafe products can have on lives and livelihoods. They play a vital role in protecting consumers from dangerous products by identifying dangerous issues or trends, so that lessons can be learned and similar incidents can be prevented.
“Buying cheap hand fans online and at market stalls might seem a good idea in this hot weather but we’ve seen one owner suffer burns to his hand and another had a fan where a battery exploded while it was on charge – leaving the battery casing lodged in the ceiling.
“Think twice about where you are buying products - some online vendors abroad don’t observe the safety standards as we do in the UK.
”We also want people to follow our tips for using fans safely, Don’t leave them on for days at a time and always make sure they are placed in a secure place so they don’t topple over.
“Finally, remember smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room.”
The Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) have been notified about the product following an investigation by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Team.
Brigade top tips for using fans safely:
- Avoid buying a second-hand fan.
- All electric fans must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug with a fuse.
- Be careful where you place a fan to avoid knocking it over.
- Don’t leave it on and unattended.
- It’s recommended not to use an electric fan overnight.
- Always make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted throughout your home in case of fire.