Your home’s faulty electrics can kill, warn firefighters (From Swindon Advertiser)

Your home’s faulty electrics can kill, warn firefighters

11:36am Friday 27th January 2012 in Local

WILTSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the national Fire Kills campaign and the Electrical Safety Council by warning people about the risks of using electrical equipment in the home.

As part of Electrical Fire Safety Week this week, national statistics have been released which show that half of all accidental house fires in 2010/11 were caused by faulty or misused electrical equipment.

From faulty fridges and abandoned irons to dodgy plugs and wiring, electrical equipment can be an unnoticed fire hazard in the home.

In 2010/11, there were 234 fires in Wiltshire caused by faulty or misused electrical products. One fire, which started in a two-bar electric heater, led to the death of a man.

Group Manager Perry Payne, from the community safety department, said: “Electrical equipment is a vital part of all our lives, from essentials like heating and lights to luxuries like entertainment systems and smaller things like hair styling tongs.

“Half of all accidental fires begin with an electrical appliance, so it’s really important to make sure your electrics are in good working order.

“If electrical equipment is properly used, properly fused, properly wired and properly maintained, then it shouldn’t present a problem.”

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire risk checks. To see if you qualify call 0800 389 7849 or visit www.wiltsfire.gov.uk.