UK households who have a toaster in their kitchen urged to 'unplug it'

UK households have been warned to unplug the toaster in their kitchen. Households are being urged to act with caution and exercise vigilance amid a spate of toaster fires - with a property expert explaining how people can protect themselves going forward.

Joshua Houston, a Property Expert at Household Quotes, has warned over five appliances households need to unplug immediately. Mr Houston said: ‘’The peace of mind that we are safe in our own homes is very important. The risk of a fire is small, however it is a real threat. So you must identify the areas that could potentially be fire-prone if not looked after.

"Provide regular checkups on the electrical appliances in your home, and if anything doesn’t seem right then don’t take a chance. Call a professional or replace the item depending on the cost." Among the warning was toasters and fairy lights, with the expert explaining: "It's less commonly understood that crumbs accumulating at the bottom can eventually burn, causing smoke or even a fire.

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"To prevent this, it's advisable to clean the toaster regularly - every few days, unplug it and clear away any crumbs." There were other dangers to be found in the bedroom, where candles can wreak havoc with flammable items like curtains, bed sheets, and rugs.

And anybody who doesn't use a master plug extension properly was also warned - because numerous high-power appliances plugged into it may cause the master plug to overheat and potentially start a fire, he said. The final warning came over tumble dryers.

These are often linked to household fires due to the accumulation of lint, which is highly flammable and can block the flow of air, leading to increased temperatures. To prevent this, it's crucial to clean the lint filter after each use, he said.

You should also avoid overloading.