Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney warns against cube plugs after fire destroyed her home
Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney has opened up about a house fire that destroyed her home.
The actor, who plays Sister Michael, in the hit Channel 4 series, spoke of her own experiences in a new film aimed at raising awareness of cube plugs, one of which she says was the cause of her fire.
In the video, created by the charity Electrical Safety First, it states that three out of five Brits have a block adapter in their home.
McSweeney explains why these should be avoided.
“Late last year, my flat set on fire, and it set on fire because of one of these, a block adapter,” she begins, holding up the common plug found in many households.
“Now, I don’t know the brand – it doesn’t matter what the brand is – I didn’t overload it, I simply used it the way you’re meant to use it and plugged another plug into it,” she says.
Morning! Just over a year ago my flat went on fire. Please have a look at this and throw out your double adopters.I know with Christmas coming there is more stuff being plugged in to other stuff. Be sure all your stuff is safe. Check @ElecSafetyFirst and THANK YOU @LondonFire https://t.co/ILmOXmdsgP
— Siobhán McSweeney (@siobhni) December 4, 2020
“My whole bedroom went on fire and the whole flat was destroyed by smoke damage.”
Thankfully, the Irish actor was not at home at the time of the fire.
She continued: “The fire investigator explained to me that one plug makes these top heavy and as a result it falls out slightly out of the plug which creates a spark.
“In my case it set my bed on fire, right where I sleep.
“If you have one of these in your home, get rid of them, throw them out, do not use these,” she advised.
Instead, she recommended using a multi-way extension lead, but warned not to overload it.
In March, the actor admitted she was left with anxiety after the fire, telling PA: “It takes me ages to leave the house, wherever I am. I have to go around plugging out everything and triple checking everything.”
The film was shared by the London Fire Brigade service, who state that electrical goods are the fourth biggest fire risk in the home.
In their online guidance, they also warn not to leave phones or laptops plugged in overnight.
For more information on fire and electrical safety in the home, click here.
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