UNSAFE or faulty electrical items are a leading cause of household fires, and many people may not realize their appliances pose a risk. The new E-Spark project will visit venues across Carmarthenshire to offer practical support, free testing, and essential safety guidance to as many people as possible.
Run by the Community Wellbeing Training and Support Hub (CWTSH), the E-Spark project provides free portable appliance testing (PAT) and electrical safety advice thanks to a grant from national charity Electrical Safety First.
The project is supported by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and aims to help local residents stay safe in their homes.
Steve Donoghue, CWTSH projects coordinator, says: “We’re thrilled to bring the E-Spark project to the community, helping residents ensure their electrical appliances are safe to use.
“Thanks to Electrical Safety First for funding volunteer training and PAT testing equipment which means we can offer this valuable service free of charge. We would also like to thank Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service who will, depending on their availability, be attending some of our sessions.”
The first E-Spark session is at LINKS, Queen Victoria Road, Llanelli, on February 20th at 3:30pm.
LINKS members are encouraged to bring along small electrical appliances for free PAT testing and receive expert advice on reducing the risk of electrical fires.
Forthcoming sessions include:
- Tuesday March 4th Saron Hall, Saron Rd., Bynea SA14 9LT (10am – 12pm)
- Wednesday March 12th, Sandy and Stradey Community Hall, Sandy Rd, Llanelli SA15 4DW (10am – 12pm)
- Thursday March 20th, The Greenfield Inn, Erw Rd., Llanelli. SA14 2TE (11am – 1pm)
More details on other upcoming sessions, dates, and locations will be available via the CWTSH Facebook page. If any venues would like to host a session please email [email protected].
The Electrical Safety Fund is an annual grant program by Electrical Safety First supporting community projects across the UK, awarding £500,000 annually to reduce domestic electrical risks.
Electrical Safety First is committed to ensuring everyone can live safely in their homes. Around half of all domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity, most originating from electrical products. The charity offers free resources and advice to help reduce risks and keep households safe.
Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, said: “We are delighted to award this grant to Wise Up Workshops CIC. Our Electrical Safety Fund is designed to empower groups to help keep local people safe in their communities. With around half of domestic fires in the UK caused by electricity, projects like this are vital in reducing risks.”
