Electrical safety firstElectrical Safety First has written to the 182 newly elected MPs calling on them to urgently address statistics showing electricity still accounts for over half of all fires in the home.

In a briefing the Charity, which is dedicated to reducing deaths and accidents caused by electricity, told ‘class of 2015’ that while domestic fires in general are decreasing, fires arising from electricity still number more than 20,000 each year.

Phil Buckle, Director-General of Electrical Safety First, said: “There were a number of proposed Bills that could be used to tackle some of the key issues we are campaigning on in the Queen’s Speech. We hope that by contacting the new intake of MPs now, we can get their support for the regulations we believe can save lives and protect properties.

"We have been campaigning long and hard for better regulation of electrical safety in the private rented sector, where a third of properties fail to meet basic standards. And with most electrical fires arising from electrical products, we are also lobbying to improve product safety legislation around the recall of dangerous products. One recent survey we undertook showed that 47% of our respondents had never seen a recall notice and research suggests that there are millions of recalled – and therefore potentially dangerous - electrical items still in people’s homes."

ESF has also highlighted the need for particular safety legislation to cover the increasing number of older people who wish to stay in their own homes. Its report, A Shock to the System: Electrical Safety in an Ageing Society, found that older adults are often disproportionately at risk from electrical hazards and around one million people aged over 75 currently live in non-decent homes.

Last month ESF launched its safety manifesto for Scotland, entitled Reducing Deaths and Injuries in Scottish Homes.

The report calls for an extension of regular safety checks to all social housing and owner occupied flats – and it highlights the need for improved home safety for older people.

SUBSCRIBE TO JUNE'S FIRE TO FIND OUT MORE ON ESF'S SCOTLAND MANIFESTO