UK Charity, Electrical Safety First, found that if you are over 60, you are ten times more likely to die in a fire than if you are aged 17-24. Over a four-year period, around 4,200 people aged over 65 in England alone were injured from electrical fires.
With winter approaching and an increase in the use of portable electric heaters, it is easy to see how it happens. Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First, said, “Half of all accidental fires are caused by misuse, so they are preventable. As a result, the charity is spearheading a campaign with fire brigades nationwide to get loved ones and neighbours to help older people stay safe.”
Andy Reynolds, lead officer for Electrical Fire Safety for the Chief Fire Officers Association, said, “I would urge people who are visiting older people to take the time to check sockets aren’t overloaded and to raise any concerns they may have with the householder so we can try to reduce the number of needless fires and help keep people safer in their homes.”
Will Best, director of Pat Labels Online, the UK’s number one supplier of health & safety labels, said, “Here at Pat Labels Online, we serve thousands of PAT testers and electrical contractors who are passionate about electrical safety, in both homes and workplaces. The importance of understanding and applying electrical best practice and safety cannot be underestimated, not only in your home, but the homes of family and friends – especially those who are older.
“Here at Pat Labels Online, we have created a blog that covers many of the important topics regarding electrical safety.”
