IT IS safe to say that most houses have at least one electronic device which needs to be charged at least every other day. The majority of homes most likely have more than one mobile phone, tablet or other types of gadgetry.
So long as such devices and the plugs and cables used for recharging meet safety standards there should be no problem. However that is not always the case.
It is not always apparent if cables or plugs meet the required safety standard, with consumers often unwittingly using equipment which could put their lives and property in danger from fire.
This is particularly true if devices are left to charge unattended or overnight when everyone in a dwelling is asleep.
Such was the case when the fire service were called to a blaze at a block of flats in North Belfast in the early hours of Sunday.
Two people escaped from the burning building and emergency services rescued another two using an aerial appliance. All four were taken to hospital suffering from burns, smoke inhalation and shock. Hopefully all those affected were not seriously hurt.
A spokesman for the fire service said that early indications were that the fire was caused by a "mobile device being left on charge overnight".
This is another indication of just how potentially lethal such practices can be. Apart from the obvious step of following advice and not leaving mobiles or other devices charging unattended or overnight, there are other safety steps which should also be taken.
Fire and smoke detectors should be installed and tested regularly, particularly if they are battery operated. Occupants should also familiarise themselves with the layout of buildings and have thought about how they would escape if a fire did break out.
It is important also that the authorities should continue to attempt to identify and seize inappropriate electronic equipment before it is sold to become a fire hazard.
