Fire brigade urge households to be electrical safe (From Gazette)

Fire brigade urge households to be electrical safe

2:00pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

HOUSEHOLDS are urged to make sure their homes are electrical safe.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with the Electrical Safety Council to urge people to make basic visual checks.

Every year nationwide 350,000 people are injured and 70 people killed in incidents involving electricity.

Divisional Officer Moira Bruin said: “Faulty electrics and electrical appliances are not only dangerous in themselves they are also a major cause of fires in the home.

“It is essential to be sure that your electrics are in good working order and are used properly. Carrying out a safety check around your home will only take a few minutes but could avert disaster.

“All too often, it is the simple things that people could check for themselves that can lead to a serious accident. So we are urging everyone to make basic visual checks around the home to ensure its electrical safety."

Safety tips include not overloading plug sockets, checking regularly for worn or frayed wires, unplugging appliances when not in use and keeping them clean and in good working order.

There is also a smartphone app available to help people check their home. Search for Home Electrical Safety Check and follow the instructions to download.