Fiona
Bruce emphasises the need for electrical safety in the colder months
With winter now
upon us and colder temperatures forecast, many older people are worried about
fuel bills and rely on portable electric heaters and electric blankets to keep
warm and cut the costs of heating an entire home. But it can be a risky
business.
Electricity
causes almost half of all domestic fires – most of which arise from electrical
products - with the over 60s at far greater risk from them than any other age
group. Almost 40% of deaths from portable heaters were of people aged 80 and
over during 2013-2014. And it’s been
estimated that damaged electric blankets are responsible for over 5,000 UK
house fires each year.
To get some
advice and support in highlighting the need for electrical safety for older
people, Fiona Bruce MP visited Electrical Safety First’s drop-in ‘surgery’,
which was recently held in Portcullis House, Westminster.
“As we
live longer and tend to remain in properties for longer, regular home safety
checks are often forgotten and electrical wiring and appliances tend to be
older”, explains Fiona.
“Electrical
Safety First’s campaign highlights how - by taking just a few moments to ensure
electrical sockets, wires and cords are in good condition and sockets aren’t
overloaded - can make a real difference to the safety of older relatives and
friends”.
The Charity has
regularly run a series of campaigns to increase awareness of electrical risk
but this is the first time it has offered a ‘surgery’ for MPs.
“This winter we have been encouraging
friends and family to check in on older people and look around for electrical
danger”, adds Robert Jervis-Gibbons, for the charity
Electrical Safety First.
The Charity has
been calling for a free, five-yearly electrical safety check for all households
with one person aged over 75 and statutory, five-yearly checks in all care
homes. It has also developed information packs to help keep older people
electrically safe this winter, which can be downloaded from
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/for-older-people/
