North Devon Homes gets funding to promote electrical safety

North Devon Homes has been successful in a bid for national funding to tackle electrical safety in customers’ homes.

The grant of £5,000 from Electrical Safety First (ESF) will support a project of education events and electrical appliance testing at locations across North Devon during January and February.

Will Bowden, NDH building safety manager, said: “We are delighted to be successful in our joint bid with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to secure this grant funding for a second year.

“Around half of all domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity, with most of those arising from electrical products. Informing our customers about electrical and fire hazards, as well as supporting the fire service in their work in the community, is paramount to our commitment to ensuring our customers are safe at North Devon Homes.

“We ran events last year across North Devon where our customers were invited to bring their small electrical appliances for a free safety check, which included a Portable Appliance Test (PAT). This funding win means we can run similar events again in 2024 and help more of our customers.”

Kate Saint, head of prevention at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, added: “DSFRS attends at least one electrical fire every two days, which is a really worrying statistic.

“These can often be avoided by making simple changes in the home - such as using manufacturer recommended batteries, not overloading extension leads and adapters and by keeping flammable objects away from electrical sources.

 “We are really pleased for North Devon Homes for receiving this grant. Not only will it help raise awareness of electrical safety risks but, most importantly, it will help save lives and reduce the number of incidents we attend.”

The Electrical Safety Fund is a major annual grant scheme which helps those most vulnerable to electrical injuries in their homes. Run by the national campaigning charity, Electrical Safety First, the fund provides £250,000 to support dozens of community projects across the UK that aim to reduce domestic electrical risks. 

Samuel Terry at ESF said: “Electrical safety risks have been exacerbated in recent years by several wider factors, including the cost-of-living crisis, rocketing inflation and rising energy prices.

“We are delighted to be funding projects that seek to keep people safe in their homes, with a focus on tackling risks associated with electrical products, increasing the public’s awareness of electrical safety, and promoting changes in behaviour.”