By Anwar Al-Balushi | KADI HSE Consultancy
We plug in our phones, leave a tablet charging and carry on with the evening. It is such a normal part of life that we rarely stop to check the charger, the cable or the surface underneath the device. News of a fatal house fire brings those everyday routines into sharper focus. On 17 October 2026, reports quoting Oman’s Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority confirmed that two people had died and six were injured in a house fire in Al Awabi, South Al Batinah. The cause was not stated in the report reviewed for this article. It would therefore be wrong to describe it as a charging-related fire without confirmed findings. [1] My thoughts are with those affected. Without thinking about what happened in that home, the tragedy gives us reason to look carefully at our own arrangements. As an HSE professional, I believe the care we encourage at work should also follow us home.
Familiar habits deserve a closer look
A cable is damaged, but it still charges the phone. A replacement charger is available at a very low price, so we buy it without checking its source. A device is left charging on the bed because that is where we were using it. These are easy decisions to make when nothing has gone wrong before. For me, that is an important part of prevention, noticing a condition before we become used to accepting it. London Fire Brigade advises using the charger supplied with the device, or a true suitable replacement from a trusted supplier. It also warns against covering charging devices, exposing batteries to extreme temperatures or continuing to charge a swollen battery. [2] A useful rule for the family is to charge devices on a safe, uncovered surface, away from covers, shades and other materials that can burn. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and replace damaged equipment rather than finding a way to keep using it.
Change the overnight charging routine
Putting the phone on charge before sleeping is convenient. The concern is that, if a fault develops, everyone may be asleep when early signs appear. London Fire Brigade recommends avoiding overnight charging of phones and tablets. Its bedtime advice also includes keeping escape routes clear and closing internal doors to help slow smoke spread. [3] I would encourage families to choose a regular charging place and charge while someone is awake and nearby. Explain the reason to children so they understand the habit you are asking them to change. For families in Oman, this conversation should include everyone living in the home, including workers. Use a language each person understands.
An available socket does not mean unlimited capacity
When there are not enough sockets, adding another adaptor can seem like the simplest solution. But extension leads have a rated limit. Connecting extra adaptors or plugging several high-power appliances into one extension can overload it and create a fire risk. London Fire Brigade specifically warns against combining power-hungry appliances such as kettles, heaters and microwaves on the same extension. [4] Check the rating and the equipment connected to it. Avoid connecting one extension lead to another. If regularly needs more outlets, ask a qualified electrician to assess a suitable permanent solution. Burn marks, unusually hot plugs, loose sockets or circuit breakers that repeatedly trip. Continuing to reset a breaker without investigating the cause leaves the problem unresolved. [5]
Do not ignore changes in battery
A swollen phone or power bank needs to be taken out of use. Unusual heat, leaking, chemical smells or hissing sounds can also indicate battery failure. Some heat during charging is normal, a significant change deserves attention. [2, 6] My suggestion to readers is equally practical: before going to bed tonight, look at the devices charging in your home. Check the cables, clear the surrounding materials and test whether your family knows what to do if the alarm sounds. We cannot draw conclusions about another family’s tragedy without the facts. We can take responsibility for the hazards we find in our own homes.
References
1. "Gulf News — Two dead, six injured after fire breaks out at home in Oman, 17 October 2026" (https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/oman/two-dead-six-injured-after-fire-breaks-out-at-home-in-oman-1.500713990)
2. "London Fire Brigade — Batteries and chargers" (https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/electrical-items/batteries-and-chargers/)
3. "London Fire Brigade — Bedtime checks" (https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/bedtime-checks/)
4. "London Fire Brigade — Cables, fuses and leads" (https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/electrical-items/cables-fuses-and-leads/)
5. "UK Government — Fire safety in the home" (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/make-your-home-safe-from-fire/fire-safety-in-the-home-accessible-version)
6. "London Fire Brigade — Warning signs of lithium-ion battery failure" (https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/lithium-batteries/electric-scooter-and-electric-bike-batteries-spotting-the-risks/)
7. "London Fire Brigade — What to do if a battery fire occurs" (https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/e-bikes-and-e-scooters/what-to-do-if-there-s-a-fire-caused-by-an-e-bike-or-e-scooter/)
8. "Royal Oman Police — Emergency contact information" (https://www.rop.gov.om/english/contactus.aspx)