electrical fire safety

Over 65s in Wales in greater risk of Electrical Fire

gazza — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 08:38:35 +0000

Over 65s in Wales in greater risk of Electrical Fire

gazza Thu, 29/11/2018

New research has found that if you are isolated and over 65 in Wales, you are at much greater risk from electrical fires. In fact, older people living alone experienced three times more electrical fires than the same age group who cohabit[i]. Last year, a shocking 311[ii] accidental electrical fires occurred in the homes of older people in Wales. Of these, 76% were in the homes of those living completely alone[iii].

The research – which was undertaken by leading consumer protection Charity, Electrical Safety First - surveyed Welsh adults over the age of 65, to determine how vulnerable those living alone feel about potential electric fires. Results showed that nearly 1 in 6 believed they would be less at risk if they were living with someone else[iv]. It’s a view supported by government data - of all the accidental electrical fires that occurred in Wales betwen 2016/17, nearly 22% directly affected older people living alone[v].

Sadly, the Charity discovered that, on average, many older people go 6 months without seeing a family member, friend, or neighbour, who they rely on to check their electrics[vi]. With almost half of those surveyed admitting they do not know the warning signs of dangerous or damaged electrics[vii], Electrical Safety First is urging people to pop in to see older relatives, friends and neighbours, to perform some basic electrical checks.

“We are urging Welsh communities to visit older people who may be living alone”, said Phil Buckle, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First. “Our findings revealing the disturbing number of electrical fires affecting this demographic but we can all do our part to address this issue. Checking in on your older neighbour, friend or relative won’t only help tackle loneliness but could save a life. You may discover something that prevents a serious incident from occurring and with your help, we can change things for the better.”

Electrical Safety First has developed a range of tools and guides to help keep older people safe in their own homes. For more information, visit: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/for-older-people/

[i] Based on analysis of data provided by Stats Wales of all dwelling accidental electrical fires 2016/17 whereby people over a pensionable age cohabiting experienced 72 accidental electrical fires compared to 239 of those over a pensionable age living alone.

[ii] Based on analysis of data provided by Stats Wales of whereby 311 accidental fires occurred in dwellings whereby the ignition/power source was deemed electrical and the occupant was over a pensionable age.

[iii] Of these 311 accidental electrical fires that affected a person over a pensionable age 239 occurred in the homes of older people who lived completely alone.

[iv] Based on consumer research commissioned by Electrical Safety First surveying 1,000 people over the age of 65 in Great Britain. Of those surveyed in Wales who live alone 14.8% said they would feel less at risk of an electrical fire if they were to live with someone else.

[v] Based on analysis of Stats Wales fire data, 1,093 accidental electrical fires occurred in dwellings in Wales 2016/17 of which 239 occurred in the homes of people over a pensionable age living alone.

[vi] Consumer research commissioned by Electrical Safety First whereby those over the age of 65 that rely solely on a friend, family member, neighbour or carer to check their electrics go on average, 26.81 weeks without seeing that person.

[vii] Consumer research commissioned by Electrical Safety First whereby 46.9% of those surveyed in Wales said they did not know the warning signs something could be wrong with the electrics in their home.

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electrical fire safety

Electrical Safety First

Tackling some DIY with your lights this weekend? #getthefacts

electricblu — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 18:26:17 +0000

Tackling some DIY with your lights this weekend? #getthefacts electricblu Fri, 01/06/2018

It's the weekend, yet again DIY stores up and down the country will be full of people looking to enhance their homes. This could be new light fittings, chrome switches, etc...

So it's only a couple of wires, anyone can do that right?

Before you get the screwdrivers out, arm yourself with the facts

DIY Lighting Advice

Electrician In Wakefield

01924 654034

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electrical fire safety

Are your appliances safe?

gazza — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 18:19:27 +0000

Are your appliances safe?

gazza Fri, 06/04/2018

Last year, 1,873 fires were caused by domestic electrical white goods such as dishwashers and fridge freezers in England, the equivalent of over five fires per day. The Electrical charity, Electrical Safety First's product checker, contains the details of electrical products that have been recalled since 2007. If you have searched for a product that you own and it is not listed, this means that it has not been recalled and should be safe to use. However we advise you make sure it is registered.

Commenting on demands for plastic-backed fridges to be removed from sale, Phil Buckle, Chief Executive of leading safety charity, Electrical Safety First, said: “Electrical Safety First has long argued for manufacturers of plastic backed fridge freezers – which can pose a significant fire risk and lead to large, rapidly developing fires - to use safer materials.

Non-combustible backs provide better containment of fire, whether that’s from ignition within the product or from an external source. “However, for many people – particularly those in vulnerable groups – getting rid of their old fridge freezer and buying a new one simply isn’t economically viable.

To provide immediate support for consumers, we have established a website (www.whitegoodsafety.com) to offer advice and help in using fridges and freezers. safely. “The charity is also working with the London Fire Brigade to make white goods safer. Together we are developing a new ‘voluntary mark’ to be used by manufacturers of fridges and freezers to demonstrate that they have been made from fire-resistant materials.”

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Are your appliances safe

electrical fire safety

Electrical Fire Increase Sparks Official Warning

gazza — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Electrical Fire Increase Sparks Official Warning

gazza Mon, 24/09/2012

Electrical Safety Council urges public to think safety as ‘blunder fires’ increase, fuelled by public naivety and growing number of high risk electrical items in homes

Alarming new research from the Electrical Safety Council shows a rise in fires caused by the misuse of appliances in the home. Appliance misuse is already the top cause of all fires in British homes with millions of people committing everyday safety ’blunders’ without realising the risk of fire. The Charity, whose campaign is supported by the Chief Fire Officers Association, has issued guidance, top tips and a Facebook application to help combat these easily avoidable safety mistakes.
Britain’s biggest blunders [and the percentage of UK public committing them]

Creating a fire hazard by using the microwave as an additional surface and blocking air vents (33%)

Increasing the risk of serious fire spreading by leaving the tumble dryer running unattended or overnight (9%)

Blocking air vents by failing to clean behind their fridge/freezer (44%)

Overloading adaptor sockets, causing an unsafe rise in temperature (16%)

Leaving an electrical appliance on while unattended, only to be alerted by a burning smell (9%)

Overall, a staggering three quarters of UK adults confessed to committing at least one simple safety blunder or misuse of an electrical appliance. The Electrical Safety Council believes that there is a clear link between this lack of understanding and the surge in ‘blunder fires’.
Fires caused by misuse of appliances have increased by over a third since 2009, despite there being an overall decline in house fires, with chip pan fires plummeting by two thirds and fires started through smoking dropping by a third. On average, fires caused by misuse of appliances kill 22 people, seriously injure about 2,500 and cost tens of millions of pounds in damage each year. In the last year alone, there were 14,700 fires of this nature.
Concern is heightened by the fact that there has been a considerable increase in the number of higher risk appliances in our homes – since 2004, the number of microwaves has increased by 1,457,000 and tumble dryers by 2,148,000.
Despite the increasing risk to homes, many UK adults do not have adequate protection from electrical fires; less than half (49%) have a Residual Current Device (RCD) in their fusebox, a vital safety device which minimises the risk of fire by cutting off the power in the event of a fault. However, almost four out of five (79%) believe that their homes are electrically safe.
Simple steps to safety
To help the public test their own knowledge and become more aware of fire safety blunders, the ESC has created a Fire Blunders game, hosted on Facebook, which helps identify mistakes and improve safety. People can also download the free ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’ Smartphone app, a simple tool to check homes for electrical danger, or visit the ESC’s dedicated webpage esc.org.uk/homesafety, which contains top tips for avoiding simple blunders.

Phil Buckle, Director General of the Electrical Safety Council said: “People think that they are behaving safely but the majority of people we surveyed had put themselves at risk by unknowingly making a safety blunder. Fires caused by misuse of appliances – the vast majority of which are electrical - are so easy to prevent but they will keep increasing unless people understand the simple things that can and do cause fires.
“Today we are issuing a warning to consumers: make sure you’re informed about electrical safety to avoid the increasing risk of injury or death by electrical fire. Most accidents are preventable and the ESC is here to help you. Protect yourself, your home and your family by following our simple tips, installing RCD protection in your fuse box or testing your current knowledge in our Facebook blunder quiz.”

Vij Randeniya, President of the Chief Fire Officers Association said: “We support the ESC’s campaign and the partnership with local Fire and Rescue Services around the country. A house fire can have devastating and long term effects, not only losing belongings, memories and possibly lives, but also in terms of mental scars and trauma. Thankfully, many fires can be prevented by taking a few simple safety steps, but the ESC’s research has exposed a shocking lack of public awareness in this area.”
To learn how to protect yourself, your home and your family from house fires take the Facebook Blunder quiz by searching ‘Electrical Safety Council’ on Facebook, or follow our top tips on esc.org.uk/homesafety

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electrical fire safety