A new campaign to encourage people to swap their power socket adapters for safer alternatives is being launched by the city council at Leith Asda this Friday (1st February).
The initiative, run by Trading Standards officers, is aimed at older people and those on low incomes. This follows research which found that 92% of these adaptors examined had safety issues which could potentially cause electrically-related fires.
To encourage safer electrical use in the home, the Council is giving away ‘bar’ socket extensions, which are safer because they prevent excessive weight being placed on the socket. The campaign is funded by the Electrical Safety Council.
Cllr Cammy Day, community safety leader, said: “To take part in the scheme, you can simply turn up with an old power socket adapter and hand it over in return for a free bar socket extension. We hope those most in need will come and take advantage of this opportunity to make their home that bit safer.“
Lorraine Carney, Senior Campaigns Manager at the Electrical Safety Council said: “According to government statistics, almost half of all accidental fires in UK homes – that’s over 20,000 each year – are caused by electricity, so we are delighted to work with the City of Edinburgh Council to support their innovative scheme, and make people aware of where electrical dangers may arise in their homes and how to prevent them.”
‘Swap shops’ will be set up at six locations across Edinburgh. Come along between 11am – 2pm on the following dates in February:
•Friday 1st: Asda Leith Superstore, 2 Sandpiper Drive, EH6 6QL
•Monday 4th: North Neighbourhood Office, 8 West Pilton Gardens, EH4 4DP
•Tuesday 5th: South Neighbourhood Office, 40 Captain’s Road, EH17 8HN
•Wednesday 6th: East Neighbourhood Office, 101 Niddrie Mains Drive EH16 4DS
•Thursday 7th: South-West Neighbourhood Office, 10 Westside Plaza, EH14 2ET
•Monday 11th: Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drum Brae Drive, EH4 7FE
Trading Standards Officers will be present to provide guidance on electrical equipment safety.
A maximum of two extensions per household are available, although there is no limit to the number of adaptors that can be handed in for disposal.
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