A survey of more than 2,000 people for the ESC highlighted the most common risks. It suggested people used faulty plugs or sockets and tried to mend devices which were still plugged in.
Household electricity
On average, at least one person dies per week from household electricity accidents, and annually 350,000 people are injured it claims. “Even though we are using more electrical products than ever before, there is a worrying gap between the public’s perception of electrical danger and the reality, with people making simple yet potentially fatal errors that can be easily prevented,” said ESC director general Phil Buckle.
The problems are highlighted the story of Ryan Bennett from Kent. He awoke one night to find his house full of smoke from an electrical fire: “I couldn’t find anything burning but when I went to the fusebox under the stairs that’s where the smoke was coming from, so I told the family to get out. The fire brigade said we were lucky to be alive as the gas pipes were underneath our electrical box. When I looked the stairs, that caused a backdraught which put the flames out; otherwise we could have died. It’s the most terrifying thing you can go through. My kids slept with their lights on for the next month, they were so scared, and it still scares us to go under the stairs. It was a year ago and I’ve still got to build up courage to get things out of there and redecorate it.”
ESC research shows that 49% of accidental fires are caused by household electricity, despite 88% of the population owning smoke alarms. Based on the survey’s findings, the ESC estimates that more 12 million people a year in the UK could be knowingly using faulty plugs or sockets, and 1.5 million may ignore burning smells coming from an appliance or socket.
If you want to ensure that your home or business premises are safe and secure, Eaton Electrical can check your appliances and sockets and upgrade them if necessary. For a free, no obligation quote call us on 01509 414 222 or email office@eatononline.co.uk
