Charity brings a buzz to Crossgates to tackle Leeds’ electrical safety complacency - 17/01/2012 - Crossgates Shopping Centre

This Saturday, Crossgates shopping centre will literally be buzzing with activity as the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), local fire services and Councillor Pauleen Grahame test shopper’s nerve with a giant electrical challenge. The house shaped buzz wire game and accompanying materials will help people learn how to use their electrics safely and identify hazards in their homes this Electrical Fire Safety Week (23-39th January). Shoppers will also be encouraged to download the free ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’ ESC Smartphone app to help reduce Leeds’ worrying complacency regarding electrical safety.

Electrical safety in Leeds

New research from the Electrical Safety Council has ranked people from Leeds among those most unlikely to care about electrical safety, exposing their homes and families to electrical accidents and fires. Nearly two thirds (60%) of homes in Leeds don’t have adequate RCD protection - the life saving device that prevents fatal electric shocks and minimises the risk of fire. As 350,000 serious injuries a year are caused by electrical accidents, along with almost half of all house fires in the UK, Leeds has been identified as an area for concern.

Local fire services will today be on hand to spark shoppers’ interest and help people learn how to keep their home and family safe. The ESC found that in Leeds a lack of knowledge regarding the dangers of electricity is leading to blunders that could be prevented. Over a fifth of people (21%) continue to knowingly use faulty plug sockets and 2% of people in the area will even ignore burning smells coming from an appliance or socket.

Event details

• There will be prizes to be won as friends and families compete to reach the giant buzz wire finish line without losing their nerve
• Shoppers will be challenged to a giant buzz wire game, while learning how to protect their homes from electrical accidents and fires
• Smartphone users can download the Electrical Safety Council’s new app ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’ to help safety proof their home
• Local fire services will be on hand  to offer advice alongside the Electrical Safety Council and local councillor Pauleen Grahame
• Spot prizes will be distributed throughout the day

Penny Walshe from the Electrical Safety Council stated: “Manchester has one of the highest levels of complacency in the UK, so we hope today will encourage people to download the ‘Home Electrical safety Check’ app, check their homes next week and take corrective action.”

For more information on all aspects of electrical safety visit the ESC website at www.esc.org.uk.