All electrical devices in Cyprus should be EU-certified and the public should make sure they are using them correctly, as a number of fires over the past years started from electrical devices, the Electricity Authority (EAC) has stressed.

They were speaking on Monday following the tragic death of a family of five in a Limassol blaze over the weekend. The fire is believed to have started by an new electric heater.

In 2025, there have so far been 12 fires due to a short circuit, six due to an electrical device, one from a heater and one from an electric cooking device. More cases are under investigation.

In 2024, 89 fires were caused by a short circuit, compared to 123 in 2023. Furthermore, in 2023 there were 26 fires caused by an electrical device and 12 due to a heater, compared to 19 and seven, respectively, in 2024. The Fire Department also recorded 12 fires due to electric cooking appliances in 2023 and seven in 2024.

Regarding the use of electric heating devices, the Fire Department advises the public to ensure that they are placed on smooth, stable surfaces, preventing them from tipping over, away from drafts, and directly plugged into a socket.

People are also advised to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and place them away from flammable materials, such as curtains, furniture and clothing. It is also important to replace any cables showing signs of wear.

Appliances should also be turned off when there is no one at home.

EAC spokeswoman Christina Papadopoulou told the Cyprus News Agency that the EAC was responsible for inspecting new installations in buildings, as well as those in extensions.

She explained that the electrician will submit the plans and the EAC will inspect the installation.
“These inspections are very strict. The aim is the safety of the public,” she said.

Papadopoulou said the electricians know the procedures that must be followed.

She called on the public to be particularly careful when buying electrical appliances and to make sure they bear the CE mark, which means that “they have the certificate of free circulation in the European market, because unfortunately too many appliances of unknown origin are circulating.”

Deputy director of the Department of Electromechanical Services (EMSI) Pavlos Yiavris told CNA that the department conducts random checks “on a wide range of products”.

If they need further investigation, they are sent to accredited laboratories abroad, he added.

Yiavris said the department conducts an inspection of installations in publicly accessible areas and that, in line with the law on municipalities, a certificate of appropriateness of the installation is issued by the department.

He said the department did not inspect houses, adding that inspections are made by the EAC when the building is first connected to its network and in cases of expansions and modifications of the existing inspected installation, after the plans have been submitted by the electrician.

Yiavris said the proposed amendments would be put to public debate and that the new element was that periodic inspections would be conducted by department-licensed inspectors or department personnel.
From 2021 to 2025 there have been 574 notifications on Rapex safety gate regarding dangerous electrical devices that could cause electrocution or fire.

The Consumer Protection Service told CNA that the notifications had been sent to the authorities to determine whether the equipment was being used in Cyprus.

Chairman of the Consumer’s Association Marios Droushiotis also spoke to CNA, saying that either proper checks were not being carried out or they were not in depth.

He added that there were many electrical devices on the market which were dangerous and that measures should be taken.

Droushiotis said that there had been 3,171 notifications from 2021 to 2024 for all EU member states.
“There are so many, it is a wonder who will notice them,” he added.