Responding to an investigation by Which? on the issue of unsafe products, Phil Buckle, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First commented:
“Last week, Electrical Safety First raised the issue of the dangers posed by faulty and recalled electrical appliances after an analysis which revealed they’d been responsible for 4,732 fires, the equivalent of thirteen fires per day across the UK. This is extremely worrying and evidence that the current product safety system has failed British consumers and needs improvement. People have the right to feel protected and safe in the knowledge that there is a robust system in place for removing dangerous appliances from their homes.
We look forward to seeing the new Office for Product Safety and Standards put into action the recommendations from the report published by the working group on Product Recalls and Safety and would like to work with them on ensuring that the UK’s product safety system works as effectively as possible. We strongly recommend that a centrally managed product recall database is established, which would allow people to check that the appliances they are using are safe. To further improve the safety of our white goods, we are working to develop a new ‘voluntary mark’ to be used by manufacturers of fridges and freezers. This would allow customers to identify appliances that have been made from safe, fire-resistant materials. There is a lot more to be done to tackle the threat posed by dangerous electrical goods and we urge the new office to work in the best interests of consumers.”
For Electrical Safety First’s latest press release on fires caused by faulty and recalled electrical appliances, please click here.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Sophia Alipour T: 07866 702069 E: sophia.alipour@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
Editors’ Notes
- Electrical Safety First is a UK Charity dedicated to reducing and preventing damage, injuries and death caused by electricity. More information can be found at electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk