Some questions to Fires Services and Government

Last week, after the Shepherds Bush Fire caused by a Product Recall, we saw London Fire Brigade push for more to be done with Appliance Recalls.  We know the Fire Service is now running a campaign to target second hand appliances, which we've been advocating and promoting to Government for years, so…

We ask: Why did you not support or engage with us after we met with you and proved that PAT Tests may falsely indicate a Used Appliance is safe to use. At CFOA offices an attendee stated that if the law doesn't require us to do anything more, why should we bother? Whilst it's not the remit of the FS to technically comprehend, this is something that concerns us, as illustrated in our Article provided to you at that event.

The Fire Service is on a Steering Group as a result of the Product Recall Consultation. We were part of that consultation. We highlighted our solution for safer repairs and reuse of White Goods Appliances, and in particular how we can capture Reused Appliances in the Second Hand Market so that Recalls are not passed on without warnings, as well as generate more local repair work for communities and increase social outcomes to help people avoid debt and poverty.

We ask: Why did you choose not to approach us as the Fire Service, or as a Steering Group Member, to discuss collaboration when your mandate is Home Safety.  You were aware we had an Appliance Safety Register with a solution that could target Second Hand Appliance Recalls.

The Department of Business Innovation & Skills facilitated the Secretariat of the Recall Consultation and the Appointment of the Steering Group which of which the Fire Service is a member.

We ask: Why did you choose not  to inform BIS (BEIS), that we had a solution as well as a Safer Repair Standard that supports local communities in tackling poverty and generating local work. BIS agrees our Standard is Safer and that Skills for Appliance Repair are not directly transferable to Electricians.

Speaking of Electricians, the Fire Service has regularly attended the Electrical Safety First annual Safety Conference for the last 4 years where we have also been present.  It should have heard our questions from the floor, particularly last year when we asked them if the Public could trust the new Manufacturers Appliance Register (which you also knew about and were competing with us).  AMDEA replied that there were only 4 of them in the last year, but Lynne Faulds Woods whom you communicated with, did not engage with us when we tried to inform her that those 4 Recalls represented 1.2 Million fire risks. Even the Minister Anna Soubry was informed that we felt important matters were being missed.

We ask: Why are you not challenging ESF and AMDEA (who are both on the Gov Appointed Steering Group), as recommended we suspect by Lyn Faulds Woods.  Lets challenge some potential conflicts of interest at those appointments that we've identified and brought to Ministers attention. Lets call for the immediate removal of AMDEA from that Group, as it's clear from today's BBC Article that one MP who we've written to, supports the idea that the Manufacturers are attempting to control their recalls, at the expense of potential loss of lives.

There are more questions to ask and answer, not least of which, did the Appliance Recall that caused the Shepherds Bush fire, reach that property as a second hand appliance?. Do you know?  Working with EEESafe, we could possibly have told you if you had engaged and helped promote our Standard and Innovative Register.

Perhaps it may have been possible to avoid the 20 Fire Engines., 100 evacuees, the 50 overnight stays, the Millions of pounds of money spent on all of that and the legal action against Whirlpool that is going to take place as a result of that one fire.

At EEESafe, we're calling for public transparency when it comes to causes of Fires. If you encourage Safer Repairs and Reuse to our standards, we'll know more about what products are causing fires, where they are located, and let consumers and landlords know the risks, so that they can make an informed choice.  We must not be held to ransom by Manufacturers when it comes to choosing the safest thing to do.

Lets have Transparency and work together for the safety, benefit and well-being of the citizens of this country.  Our door has always been open to discuss what we know has been going on since our efforts to bring about a safe and joined up approach from all stakeholders, at the best ROI of Public Tax Payers money.  Lets not pander to the wills of those with Investors at the helm of greed, at the expense of the safety and well being of every Uk Citizen.

EEESafe exhorts consumers to join our Register the First National Register for all citizens, which also has a Landlords Section, and start helping others less fortunate that those who can afford to purchase new appliances.  In addition we should point out that Government has recognised that our White Goods Repair and Refurbishment is safer than the minimum safety standard required by UK Law as well as agreeing with our claim that Electricians Skillsets are not directly transferable to Appliance Repair.  This should be good news for local Appliance Repairers, who are Registered as EEESafe DAT's (Community Repairers)

Please share our Article and also the Appliance Register Leaflet.