Product liability related issues could be could be one of the chief causes of fires in Scotland's homes; that is if figures from safety charity Electrical Safety First are anything to go by.
According to the consumer safety organisation, nearly two thirds of fires in residences in Scotland are linked in some way to electrical products, with product liability related issues behind an unknown proportion.
The report, Reducing Deaths and Injuries in Scottish Homes, is clear in calling for frequent safety checks on all social housing and owner occupied flats in Scotland, with homes occupied by people of pensionable age of especial cause for concern.
It is hoped that the government will adopt the enforcement of free, five-yearly electrical safety checks for all households that include a person aged over 75.
Electrical Safety First has already succeeded in lobbying for the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014, which legislated to ensure that landlords carry out electrical safety checks by an accredited electrician every five years. The charity also hopes to achieve a ban on the eviction of tenants who raise concerns or make complaints about electrical safety in their rented properties.
"Around two thirds of all domestic fires in Scotland are caused by electricity, with electrical products the prime culprit. So we want to see additional protection provided in the housing sector – especially for Scotland's growing population of older people and those in care homes," commented Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First.
"And with most domestic fires linked to electrical products, we are also calling for additional product safety protection through the installation of RCDs. With many fake and counterfeit items containing faulty parts which can cause shock, or worse, they are a safety essential."
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