Electric Heater Problem !!

[laurar]

I was just sitting down watching tv when a big spark followed by crackling noise from the heater and embers flew out!! scared the life out of me , I hardley ever use them as since Ive been living here the plug switch's tend to spark.My landlord knew about the sparking and as soon as this happened today I called him straight over, hes just left and said its something to do with the wires touching ?? hes turned it back on and said to call him or let him know if anything happens. Apparently not a big deal :s Im nearly 8 months preg and petrified of fire, two in hand , not a good combo haha please give me your opinions as to what I should do as Im not sure about these things , Thank you

 

[m4tty]

The electric heater should not be turned back on until tested by an electrician who would confirm if it's safe or not. Doesn't sound safe at all and your landlord sounds alike a right idiot. Did he test it or anything?

 

[laurar]

He turned it back on to see what the problem was, but he said he thought he seen the elements touching, as it was they weren't he just said to keep an eye on it and if anything happens do let him know

 

[m4tty]

Have you got any friends who know an electrician. Get them to do a few tests for your own piece of mind. Sounds dodgy from your description of what happened.

 

[laurar]

Im going to try and find someone to have a look as I personally dont think he knows what hes doing, I have no Idea about electrics but surely any one would have the brains would not turn it back on after that ...hmmmf lol

 

[Manator]

Is this heater provided by the landlord? If so he has a duty to provide a safe appliance, no electrical heater should be left unattended as a caution, any suspected of any faults should not be turned back on. If the heater has not been used for a while it may be possible that what you saw and heard was the burning of surface dust accumulated during non use. It should really be tested, and confirmed though.

 

[apprentice87]

Hi Laurar,

I hope that you are on housing benefit. I say this for the following reason. If you are, then go and tell the housing benefit people what happened. They will stop the rent IMMEDIATELY. If the landlord owns anymore houses rented out, they will stop the rent for them too until they have ALL been tested to the councils satisfaction....

If you pay yourself, get a qualified electrician to test it all, and then stop the money from the rent. Soon get it sorted!!!!!

john

 

[ProDave]

Is it let by a private agreement, or through a letting agent?

Whichever, you MUST tell the landlord or agent that you NEED a qualified electrician to inspect the heaters.

If these are free standing and just plug in, then they are supposed to be PAT tested with a test sticker on the plug, and a re test date.

 

[sparky b]

Hi Laurar,I hope that you are on housing benefit. I say this for the following reason. If you are, then go and tell the housing benefit people what happened. They will stop the rent IMMEDIATELY. If the landlord owns anymore houses rented out, they will stop the rent for them too until they have ALL been tested to the councils satisfaction....

If you pay yourself, get a qualified electrician to test it all, and then stop the money from the rent. Soon get it sorted!!!!!

john

App87, where did you come across this information?

 

[Evans Electric]

Tell him its happened again and you think you felt a shock from it when you touched it , and it made the baby jerk .

If he doesn't do anything after hearing that he wants a good kick up the arsenal .