Ditch the electrical ‘daisy chains’ this Christmas
Reviewed by
Alicia Hempsted
Updated: 09 Dec 2025
MoneySuperMarket analysis shows that wires, cables and plugs were the top cause of household fires in 2023, and one way households increase the risk around Christmas is by 'daisy-chaining' extension leads.
What many homeowners don’t realise is plugging too many devices into one socket – or daisy-chaining extension leads by linking multiple power strips together – is a serious fire hazard, and one that home insurance is unlikely to cover you for if a blaze starts because of unsafe wiring.
Most UK home insurance policies do cover fire damage, but claims can be refused if negligence is involved, and overloaded sockets fall into this category.
Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Stick to one extension lead per socket
Extra plugs and festive lights can make Christmas magical, but overloading sockets or daisy-chaining extension leads can be extremely risky.
If a fire starts because of unsafe wiring, your insurer may refuse to pay out. Sticking to one surge-protected extension lead, unplugging it overnight and keeping decorations away from heat sources are all steps it pays to follow. After all, prevention is far cheaper than a denied claim.
Safety first: what to do in the event of a fire this Christmas
In the event of a fire, safety should be a priority above all else, above any expensive gifts or decorations. If you suspect a fire, leave the house immediately and call 999. Don’t spend extra time collecting belongings - most items can be replaced, but your life cannot.
Top tips to stay safe and insured
Avoid daisy-chaining extension leads
Plugging one extension lead into another is a serious fire risk. If you are using a high number of appliances this Christmas, as many households are, it's important to use one high-quality extension lead with surge protection per plug socket.
Check load limits
Each lead has a maximum load, and exceeding it can cause overheating and even electrical fires. Most can support 13 amps, which is what a typical heater might run at, so you would not want to plug that into an extension cord with anything else.
Make sure you check how much yours can support before plugging appliances in.
Unplug overnight
Turn off any decorative lights, electric blankets, and other appliances when you go to bed. Leaving them plugged in at night is very risky, as they can overheat. Even if they don't cause a fire, they can become damaged, which only makes their use riskier.
Inspect cables
One thing that can get overlooked is the quality of electrical equipment. As you are setting up your appliances, make sure to inspect your extension cords and cables for any fray or other damages, and to replace them if necessary.
Also think about where you are installing your cables - winding them too tightly or installing them where they can get damaged can also increase the risk of a house fire.
Update your insurer
Preventing a house fire also means preparing for the worst. If something were to happen, you need to make sure that your insurance provider has no cause to deny your claim.
It’s therefore really important to update your insurance if you are installing significant electrical features in your home.
Check your fire alarms
Checking fire alarms and swapping out batteries is something you should be doing regularly, but during this season where risk of fire is higher than usual, it's worthwhile to test your alarms to make sure they're working. So, even if a fire does start in your home, you and your family can be alerted quickly to minimise the damage or evacuate the building.
Having working fire alarms is a requirement for home insurance cover, so if a fire starts and it's discovered that your fire alarms weren't working at the time, you could have your insurance claim rejected.
To protect your family and possessions, it’s vital to have the right home insurance in place. MoneySuperMarket provides tailored quotes for:
Buildings insurance – covering the structure of your home against fire, flooding, and other types of damage.
Contents insurance – protecting the valuables and everyday items inside your property.
Having the right cover ensures peace of mind and helps you recover financially should the unexpected occur.
Sources
GOV- UK Fire and rescue incident statistics on causes of fires 2023
Reviewer
Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert
Alicia is MoneySuperMarket's editorial content manager. She specialises in insurance, with a background in copywriting, digital marketing, and insurance advice. Since joining MoneySuperMarket in...
