Once upon a time my first Christmas related blog content would have been gift guides; back in the days where I managed to post regularly I was churning them out one after another. Recently my priorities have definitely shifted, now I’m a Mum (more on that at some point) there is a notable shift in my attention; I’m all about the safety first element, fun comes second.
It seems I’m not alone in this, I recently received an email which shows that Mums are prioritising checking electrics over christmas present shopping and prepping the all important festive feast. I thought it made for an interesting read so I’m sharing it with you guys too…
“With the announcement of 20,000 electrical fires damaging homes in 2021* almost 40% of mums state they have learnt how to check for faulty electrics this year with 19% already booked in their electrical testing ahead of Christmas – a new poll has revealed.
When asked what they prioritised when it comes to keeping their homes safe from hazards, a staggering 38% cited checking their electrics as top of their list of safety measures at home. Hexo Electrical Testing commissioned the poll to gauge consumer attitudes on keeping their home electrics healthy and safe.
Within the poll, 44% per cent of mums are most concerned with having enough food in for Christmas and 44 per cent want to make sure that they have cleaned the house before the guests arrive.
Terrified, TV personality, Louise Thompson recounts the horrors of being woken up to a house fire in her London home this month. The former Made in Chelsea star announced to social media fans that she and her family had to evacuate their home in the early hours, due to an electrical fire that was started by a faulty wine fridge.
Michael Evans from Hexo Electrical Testing, states: “It’s great to see homeowners having a greater understanding of electrics in the home. Having accidents in the home can happen any time and as we rely increasingly on electrical goods and gadgets to enhance especially during Christmas, regular electrical testing is a quick win to ensure your family and your home is kept safe from potential dangers.”
Gas safety was higher on the agenda, with 35 per cent of those asked making conscious efforts to ensure their connections and appliances were safe.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors ranked higher on the list of priorities to check, with 24 per cent of respondents believing these to be the key to alleviating home hazards.
Spokesperson from Hexo Electricals continued: “We would suggest a check every five years to ensure that your electrical systems are healthy and in full working order. That way, we can pick up any issues before they cause a problem in the home.”
A staggering 19% were unaware of any electric hazards in the home, such as risk of shock from damaged sockets or fire hazards from loose connections.
“We would urge people to be particularly vigilant in the lead-up to Christmas, when greater demands are placed on our electrical systems thanks to the increase in Christmas lights, cooking and even having additional people staying in our homes.”
Encouragingly, 27 per cent will check their fire and carbon monoxide alarms in the run-up to Christmas.
Tenants: Know Your Rights
The poll also showed up that those living in rented accommodation did not fully understand their rights and the responsibilities of landlords to maintain safe standards when it came to their electrics.
44 per cent of respondents did not know that landlords have a duty of care to check electrics in their properties every five years.
Insight continues; “This is a key part of a landlord’s job – to make sure that their tenants are in receipt of safe systems. A five-year check is a legal requirement so if you think your home is due, get in touch with your landlord as soon as possible.”
Advice For Checking Electrics at Christmas:
Check for damaged wires and cables.
Keep cables and wires properly stored, and away from children.
Unplug devices and appliances to repair, adjust or clean.
Don’t overload plug sockets.
Allow air to circulate around electric appliances – don’t block vents.
For more information, visit https://hexoelectricaltesting.co.uk“
Fellow parents, have you found your priorities changed? I knew that I would feel differently once baby arrived, but I wasn’t prepared for quite how big that shift would be!
