The ESC has told EP&A magazine that the electrical wholesalers involved in the campaign include QVS, Wilts, Rexel, CEF, Denmans, Leeks, Arc, WF and Screwfix. The packs will also be available from consumer outlets such as B+Q, Homebase, Focus DIY, TLC, Taskers and All about Electrics. Two million leaflets will also be distributed via these retail and trade outlets.
The aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of electrical accidents in the home by encouraging the installation and habitual use of RCDs. EP&A has been given some frightening figures - every year in the UK about 70 people die and 1.2 million are injured in electrical accidents at home.
Commenting on the campaign, Phil Buckle, director general at the Electrical Safety Council, said: "Currently, more than half of UK homes – that’s 13 million - don’t have adequate RCD protection in their consumer unit. We want to support the industry by leading the way in encouraging householders to install RCDs and take basic safety measures to ensure their homes and families are protected from the potential dangers of electricity. To encourage and support this, we’ve produced these easy-to-use packs to help electricians communicate how crucial RCD protection is to their customers.
"We are delighted with the high level of interest and support that we have had from all sections of the industry so far, which has been essential to further increasing the momentum of the Plug into Safety campaign."
Each electricians’ pack contains 50 Electrical Safety Council leaflets which, in addition to basic safety messages, will explain the importance of RCDs and will help customers to understand the benefits of ensuring their consumer unit contains RCD protection. Detachable blank business cards, which urge homeowners to install RCD protection, will also be included for electricians to leave with customers after a house-call.
Commenting on the move, Gary Fisher, an electrician based in London, said: "I always advise my customers to get RCD protection but sometimes it can be difficult to convince people just how crucial it really is. These leaflets clearly explain the issues and will help ensure that customers feel well-informed. As the information is from a respected charity and not a commercial enterprise, it also helps demonstrate that I have my customers’ best interests at heart, rather than me wanting to rake in the cash! And, as I can leave information behind for the customer to read at their leisure, I don’t have to do a ‘hard sell’ there and then".
Neil Thomas, commercial manager at Denman’s Electrical - one of the campaign’s electrical wholesale partners, said: "Denmans are delighted to support the Plug into Safety campaign. Raising awareness in this area is bound to reduce the number of electrical accidents and will also help to promote installation of RCDs in UK homes".
www.esc.org.uk/plugintosafety