Static electricity in the house is worrying us

[Anonymouse2019]

For a couple of months, myself and my family have been unintentially giving each other static shocks just by touching each other or each others clothes.

I read that a dry environment when central heating is being used can cause this, however the other night which getting into bed, I smoothed a spare duvet on the bed with my bare hands and bright orange static sparks flew off the duvet.

Obviously I didnt want to cause a fire so we carefully removed the duvet.

Might there be a problem with our electrical supply or sockets? Obviously I realise I need to contact an electrician but thought I'd ask on here first.

Huh? Static electricity doesn’t come from the mains OP. It occurs naturally in the environment. It wont cause a fire. Are you all wearing crocs? I love mine but they are a bugger for static electricity.

It's highly unlikely to cause a fire unless there is a gas escape which is ignited.

Do you use fabric conditioner when you do laundry? If not it can help reduce static. Add humidity to the air with plants and containers of water near radiators. Reduce the amount of synthetic fibres you wear. What flooring do you have?

Static shocks won't cause a fire.
You don't need to call a electrician out unless you are getting electric shocks from socket and switches .
Have you had a new carpet / rug laid ? Ones with man-made fibre can increase static.

I tend to get shocks of lots of things , I gave my poor cat a zap a few days ago after taking my jumper off .

Have you got carpet made of synthetic fibre? All polyester type materials do this. It's an everyday thing, don't worry about it but try to decrease the amount of artificial fibres if it worries you. No electrician required.

Static electricity from a duvet is nothing to do with your electrics.

It's typically caused by two different fibres rubbing against each, wool and polyester are great combination!

Ive never heard of static causing a fire and I don't think it has anything to do with your electricity so electrician won't be able to do anything about it. It's to do with certain materials rubbing eachother. Don't worry about it.

You don't need an electrician, unless it's the sockets causing the issue.

As above, it will be 2 materials rubbing against each other.

It happens more in the winter as the drier air doesn't allow any charge to seep away.

Do you have synthetic carpet? That's more likely to be the cause. Or nylon sheets?

As others have said, it won't cause a fire unless you have a gas leak.