Latest news with #ElectricalSafetyFirst
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
UK hotspots for rogue traders revealed – how bad is your area?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE worst hotspots for rogue tradespeople have been revealed, as thousands of households have been left with shoddy work done. A total of 9,703 reports of suspected rogue trader work were recorded last year, consumer charity Electrical Safety First found. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 New Freedom of Information data reveals the worst hotspots for rogue traders 4 Experts are warning that poor electrical work could be dangerous for households Credit: Electrical Safety First 4 Having poor electrical work leaves you at risk of fire, burns and electrocution Credit: Electrical Safety First 4 Some 655 reports of suspected rogue traders were made relating to electrical work alone Credit: Electrical Safety First The highest number of reports was for roofing work, with more than 2,000 people filing complaints. Reports were also linked to: General building works (1,018) Plumbing work (881) Electrical work (655) Carpentry work (633) Other types of jobs reported included work on driveways, bathrooms and windows. The data, gathered through a Freedom of Information request, also revealed Greater London as the worst hotspot in the country. It had 2,462 reports of suspected rogue tradespeople last year. Yorkshire and Humber followed closely behind with 2,341 reports. East Anglia and the East Midlands were next with 934 and 793 reports respectively. The West Midlands had the lowest number of reports at just 108. The areas with the most suspected rogue trader reports Greater London - 2,462 Yorkshire and Humber - 2,431 East Anglia - 934 East Midlands - 793 North West - 722 Northern Ireland - 695 Scotland - 438 North East - 364 Wales - 287 South West - 271 South East - 198 West Midlands - 108 Households are being warned rogue traders can leave them at serious risk. Richard Harvey, electrical installation safety expert for Electrical Safety First, said: "With so many reports of suspected rogue trade activity, there's a real chance of dangerous work being carried out in homes that leaves victims picking up the pieces, or worse, at serious risk of harm. "People are still feeling the squeeze from the cost-of-living crisis, and rogue traders will exploit this, perhaps offering to do the work in an unrealistic time frame or at a cheaper price." HMRC Spying on Social Media, M&S Giving Away Free Cakes, & Unemployment at Four-Year-High – Money News Today He warned electrical work can be the most dangerous as shoddy electrics leave you at risk of fire, burns and electrocution. Plus, having poor work done can leave you thousands of pounds out of pocket as it can cause further issues and you'll need to get it fixed. Last year, a rogue trader from Cornwall was sentenced after he left customers £90,000 out of pocket. In one case, he removed load-bearing walls without adequate support for the roof and left electrics in a dangerous state. Another rogue trader from Swindon was sentenced after it was found he carried out dangerous electrical work which was not compliant with building regulations. He'd also issued houseowners with an electrical installation certificate for the electrical work claiming it had been signed off by an electrician who had not visited the property. Red flags to watch out for You can avoid getting caught out by a rogue trader by looking out for these signs… They're available immediately Builders and tradespeople are in demand, so be wary of anyone who can start work straight away. Of course, there might be legitimate reason for this - perhaps they had another job fall through - but it's worth asking some questions. Read the reviews on websites like Checkatrade or on Google Reviews and make sure the person is vetted and qualified to carry out the work. They're VERY cheap If one tradesperson comes in with a quote that's significantly cheaper than all the others, you should be wary. This might be because the work is done in a rush and corners will be cut. Remember, cheap work can't always be rectified and you may pay out more in the long-term to repair the damage. When getting any work done, get a few quotes to give you an idea of the sort of price you can expect to pay. Online cost guides can also help to provide an overview of the amount that various types of work might typically cost. They're asking you to pay upfront A tradesperson should never ask you to pay the full amount upfront. You'll usually pay in instalments, keeping the final chunk of money until the work has been completed and you have confirmed that you are satisfied. You should get a detailed written quote that includes T&Cs and states exactly what is and isn't covered, as well as a receipt for every payment you make. Pay using a secure method rather than handing over cash. They've knocked on the front door While it's not unusual to get a leaflet through the door advertising work, you should never feel pressured into committing to any works by someone who has turned up uninvited on your doorstep. Experts say a reputable tradesperson would never canvas work by knocking on doors - they'll be so in demand they don't need to. Instead, a better way to find a decent tradesperson is through recommendations from friends, family and colleagues. You could also join local forums and social media groups to get recommendations, and be sure to read reviews.
The Independent
06-08-2025
- The Independent
Why ‘substandard' e-bike batteries pose life-threatening risks
A man died in a fire at his Bradford home, believed to be caused by a faulty lithium-ion battery from an e-bike conversion kit charging overnight. The coroner investigating the death of Mohsin Janjua, 28, concluded the fire was likely due to a "catastrophic failure" of a battery purchased from eBay. Test purchases revealed that batteries and chargers from online marketplaces often fail to meet UK safety standards, prompting the coroner to urge the government to reassess laws. The coroner also called for online marketplaces to be held jointly responsible for the safety and legal compliance of products sold by third parties on their sites. A charity, Electrical Safety First, has warned that substandard batteries sold online pose a significant risk, advocating for third-party certification for e-bikes and stricter rules on conversion kits.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Warning after e-bike battery causes house fire
An accidental house fire in Nottingham that saw one man rescued and eight others led to safety was caused by the failure of an e-bike battery. Three people suffered minor injuries in the blaze in Burford Road, in the Forest Fields area of the city, at about 04:20 BST on Wednesday. The flames and smoke destroyed the front room and window of the three-storey property. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said the outcome of the fire could have been "catastrophic". The lithium-ion battery that caused the fire had been bought second-hand online and was left charging overnight, the fire service said. Amy Goulden, head of community safety and engagement at the fire service, said: "Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are on the rise, and as a service we are attending more of them. "This incident is just another example of how dangerous these types of fires can be. "Thankfully, the incident was resolved quickly, and we are relieved to hear the injuries of those involved are minor, however the effects could have been catastrophic." While investigating, the fire service said it found the internal doors of the property were shut, giving the residents and emergency service personnel extra time. "Although the charger was the one which had come with the bike, it may not have been through rigorous safety checks needed to sell these products new on the High Street," Ms Goulden added. In May, campaigning charity Electrical Safety First said fires caused by substandard e-scooter and e-bike batteries were "tearing through homes", and called for stricter sales rules to be introduced to reduce the risks. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Crews called as dumped batteries 'explode' in fire E-bike battery fires 'tearing through homes' - charity Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
BBC News
05-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warning after faulty e-bike battery causes house fire in Nottingham
An accidental house fire in Nottingham that saw one man rescued and eight others led to safety was caused by the failure of an e-bike people suffered minor injuries in the blaze in Burford Road, in the Forest Fields area of the city, at about 04:20 BST on flames and smoke destroyed the front room and window of the three-storey Fire and Rescue Service said the outcome of the fire could have been "catastrophic". The lithium-ion battery that caused the fire had been bought second-hand online and was left charging overnight, the fire service said. Amy Goulden, head of community safety and engagement at the fire service, said: "Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are on the rise, and as a service we are attending more of them."This incident is just another example of how dangerous these types of fires can be."Thankfully, the incident was resolved quickly, and we are relieved to hear the injuries of those involved are minor, however the effects could have been catastrophic."While investigating, the fire service said it found the internal doors of the property were shut, giving the residents and emergency service personnel extra time."Although the charger was the one which had come with the bike, it may not have been through rigorous safety checks needed to sell these products new on the High Street," Ms Goulden May, campaigning charity Electrical Safety First said fires caused by substandard e-scooter and e-bike batteries were "tearing through homes", and called for stricter sales rules to be introduced to reduce the risks.
Tom's Guide
03-07-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
This trending cooling fan hack is actually ‘dangerous' — according to an expert
As the temperatures rise, staying cool in our homes during a heatwave can become a challenge. This is especially the case if you don't have one of the best smart air conditioners, or your AC has suddenly stopped blowing cold air. And so it isn't any wonder why many people are resorting to clever, DIY fan hacks in a bid to beat the heat without AC and keep comfortable, especially at night. Social media and TikTok videos are full of unusual tips and tricks claiming to make a room feel cooler, and gaining millions of views. However, while there are simple ones such as the bizarre viral cooling fan hack of pointing your fan towards the window, experts reveal a trending, heatwave hack that you should never do. So if you want to avoid the risk of electric shock, avoid this 'dangerous' cooling fan hack at all costs! Shark's FlexBreeze Pro Mist is Shark's smartest cooling fan yet. It offers immense versatility, with a portable design (complete with carry handle and even a bag) and can also be converted to a freestanding fan. It's also rechargeable, and features a removable misting attachment for next-level cooling. Yes, you heard right — it's a thing! People on TikTok have actually been freezing their towels or draping damp towels on top of their electric cooling fans. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The whole idea is to create a DIY AC unit from the fan producing chilled air into the room — rather than spending a fortune. And while this might sound like a clever idea (in theory), experts warn this is a dangerous hack to be avoided. 'Water and electricity don't mix,' states Luke Osborne, technical director at Electrical Safety First. 'Anything that is frozen will eventually melt and a towel will potentially drench your fan in water. This water risks not only coming into contact with the motor but any surrounding plug sockets and will really increase the risk of an electric shock. Much like other ineffective hacks, a frozen towel won't offer enough energy to cool down a room.' Another hack that has gone viral is to attach frozen bottles of water to the back of fans to circulate cooler air around their room. 'This 'hack' is not only dangerous but ineffective too,' adds Osborne. 'The frozen bottles of water will inevitably melt, creating condensation on the outside of the bottle. This will create water droplets that risk coming into contact with the motor of the fan, increasing your risk of electric shock. You're also adding weight to your fan that it's not designed to handle, which may put unnecessary stress on your fans motor and risk damaging your device. Whilst you may find you get a few seconds of relief, this hack is pointless in that it won't supply enough cold air to reduce the temperature across a room.' If you want to be on the safe side, there are other simple ways on how to cool down your living room without AC. An easy (and free) method is to rearrange furniture away from the windows to allow air to circulate more freely throughout the room. Or you can create a cross-breeze by placing one fan facing inward on the side where cooler air is entering, and another facing outward on the opposite side to push warm air out. 'Create a cross wind by opening windows on opposite sides of the house, especially in the evenings when the outside temperatures will be cooler. Keep your curtains and blinds closed during the day. Your first thought might be to open the windows, but in doing so, you'll only let the hot air inside. Ensuring your room remains shaded can help to keep inside temperatures down.'
