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.
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
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.
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
