Fire chiefs have issued a stark warning to anyone who has a washing machine in their kitchen – because you should never plug it into a double plug socket.
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated laundry room or utility room, you almost certainly have a washing machine in your kitchen, as is standard in UK houses, and most modern houses have double plug sockets all over the kitchen. After all, double sockets are more convenient, giving you plenty more places to plug in various appliances from air fryers to slow cookers and microwaves, or just charge your phone while you cook and clean.
But according to the Fire Industry Association, which works on fire safety alongside fire brigades and fire services across the country, there are risks inherent in using a washing machine and you need to make sure you take precautions and avoid making it worse, which include always plugging it into a single plug socket, not a double or shared one.
This is because a double plug socket does not actually have double the power of a single socket (20A vs 13A), so you can risk causing a fire by overloading it with two power hungry appliances at a time.
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service says: “High powered appliances such as washing machines should have a single plug socket.
“Never use square box plug adapters, and if using a strip adapter/extension make sure it’s fused and don’t overload it.
“If using a cable drum extension lead, it should be completely unwound to avoid overheating.”
The Fire Industry Association says that electrical fires involving white goods topped 1,100 incidents in 2024 and urged households to take extra precautions.
It said: “Electrical fires remain a major concern across the UK. In 2024 alone, 1,140 accidental electrical fires involving white goods were recorded in England, that’s three fires every day. By understanding potential hazards and following essential safety measures, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of electrical fires.
“White goods, such as washing machines and tumble dryers, require regular checks to ensure they are safe for use.
“Never leave washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers running overnight or unattended.
“Ensure appliances are well-ventilated and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
“Register new appliances to receive safety alerts about recalls.
“Check plugs and sockets for scorch marks, buzzing noises, or loose connections.
“Only buy electrical appliances from reputable retailers – avoid counterfeit or untested products.”
It adds: “Try to keep to one plug per socket, especially for high powered appliances like washing machines.”