Expert Welcomes New Calls From Electrical Safety Council

By Rob Dixon

Product liability lawyers have welcomed fresh calls from the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) for more to be done to ensure that the general public are protected from potential risks posed by faulty household appliances.
 
Following a number of concerns surrounding a range of devices including items manufactured by Beko, the organisation has urged that guidelines are improved to ensure more is done to improve product safety.
 
Among the measures proposed by the body to the BBC were new steps to gather more information from consumers at the point of sale, so that manufacturers are able to quickly trace products which are subject to recall.
 
According to the ESC, 70 die and around 350,000 people in the UK are injured as a result of electrical accidents related to household appliances every year.
 
David Urpeth, a Partner and specialist in product liability claims at Irwin Mitchell, represents people who have suffered serious injury as a result of defective consumer products.
 
Commenting on the calls, he said: “Reports in recent weeks have really put the issue of product safety in the spotlight and this call to action is both timely and very relevant.
 
“We would urge manufacturers to work with organisations including the ESC to carefully consider the potential scope to improve safety in relation to household goods, as well as ensuring that those who own items which may pose concerns can be quickly traced.
 
“Consumers put great faith in the fact that items they purchase are completely safe and pose no risk to them or their loved ones. It is vital that those involved in the production of consumer goods ensure safety is a top priority.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell’s expertise related to Defective Products