Electrical Fire Safety week and free tests

Electrical Fire Safety Week, which started yesterday Monday (September 24), aims to raise awareness of potential fire risks in the home.

In 2011, there were 122 electrical fires in West Sussex, accounting for more than a quarter of all accidental house fires.

Community fire safety officer for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Jackie Boyle, said: “The majority of the fires our crews attend start in the kitchen so this year we are particularly focusing on raising awareness on electrical safety in the kitchen.

“By carrying out some very simple visual checks like ensuring the cooker is switched off when you’ve finished using it and making certain that kitchen appliance wires are not exposed, damaged or frayed and kept well away from heat or water people can reduce the risk of an electrical fire starting.

“We’d also like to remind people how important it is to have a working smoke alarm on each level of their home and to test they’re working each week.

“If a fire does break out, it not only gives people that precious time to escape safely, it also means the 999 alert can be raised promptly and gives our crews a chance to fight the fire at an early stage and limit the damage to people’s homes.”

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be holding free electric blanket testing in November.

They will be held at Butlins Resort, in Upper Bognor Road, Bognor Regis, from 10.15am to 12.15pm and 1.15pm to 3.15pm, on Wednesday, November 14, and Chichester College, in Westgate Fields, Chichester, at the same times on Tuesday, November 27.