Misuse of electrics, a cause of fire.

We can take the ignition hazard from smoking out of the equation for workplaces, so what’s likely to cause a fire?   Electrical hazards are a common source of ignition.  The picture above shows a portable heater that is supplied from a multi-adaptor extension lead.   This poses a hazard because (i) an overload may occur at the supply socket, possibly followed by overheating and ignition; and (ii) there are several temporary contacts in what is a power circuit to the heater.     Solution: every heavy user of power should be supplied direct from its own mains supply socket.   The use of adaptors to supply computer work-stations is acceptable as the total power output remains low.   People sometimes arrange the supply to several work-staions from one socket, however, and this is again likely to result in an overload.

And of course, storage up against the electrical intake is just asking for trouble.

The use of coiled extension leads adds another hazard: the coils can generate a magnetic field, heating up when the appliances are in use.  The extension wire can’t cool down because it is coiled in on itself.   Again, the kettle, toaster and microwave being supplied here should each have their own mains supply sockets.