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.
Following confirmation from the Metropolitan Police that a fridge freezer was the initial cause of ignition at Grenfell Tower, Electrical Safety First (ESF) is calling on government to provide free mandatory electrical checks for homes in tower blocks. According to the charity, access to these free checks is essential to ensure that tenants in tower blocks are safe from electrical fires.
ESF has written to the Minister responsible, Margot James MP, calling for a new policy which ensures that:
- Housing associations and local authorities have a legal responsibility for ensuring free mandatory electrical safety checks to include fixed electrical installations and appliances per property
- Housing associations and local authorities must also keep a register of white goods contained and operating in the blocks regardless of tenure of the property and ensure tenants have registered their products.
The current policy of the UK government states that there is an ‘expectation’ on landlords to keep electrical installations safe. On this basis, electrics and appliances contained within social rented properties could go unchecked for many years and remain dangerous until action is taken.
ESF has put together initial costs for the operation of this policy, which fall between £48m and £60m every five years.
Electrical Safety First technical director Martyn Allen commented: “We have seen the risks that electrical appliances pose in tower blocks such as Lakanal House, Shepherd’s Court and of course Grenfell Tower. Tenants have the right to live in a home that has a safe electrical installation and appliances supplied by the landlord.
“We believe that first and foremost, those living in densely populated areas like tower blocks must be protected. As a result we would like to see Government implement mandatory safety checks as a matter of urgency.”
Electrical Safety First has launched a new microsite, www.whitegoodsafety.com to advise all consumers on white goods safety. Consumers can find expert advice on ways to ensure your white goods are safe, a searchable tool to check if any of your products have been recalled and advice on how to register your appliance.
