Electrical fires are highest home safety concern among Essex public

Essex residents are telling Essex County Fire and Rescue Service they think electrical faults are the biggest risk of fire in their home.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) is currently running an initiative to engage with communities through its #TellECFRS survey, aiming to gather insights on what matters to them.

The initial results indicate a concern among respondents, with over 40% highlighting electrical safety as their top priority in home fire safety.

The results comes during Electrical Fire Safety Week, an annual event that highlights the importance of awareness surrounding electrical safety. Statistics reveal that half of accidental domestic fires in the UK are attributed to electricity each year, making it a crucial area for public attention and education.

Will Newman, Head of Prevention at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said:

“It’s really interesting to hear from our public about their biggest safety concerns. By understanding the community's perspectives, we can tailor our efforts to better meet their concerns and enhance overall fire safety education and advice

“Almost half of people who responded to our survey rate electrical faults as their biggest fire safety concern. Our data tells us this is correct, with electrical fires usually being the highest cause for fire in the home.

“If there were just a few messages to remember right now they would be not to overload sockets or charge electrical items overnight and make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home.”

The #TellECFRS survey, which covers a range of topics related to fire safety, will remain open until 17th December. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/tellecfrs or search ‘Tell ECFRS’ to add your views.