Chris Huhne

Eastleigh MP backs campaign to stop home fires from faultycables

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today backs a new campaign to stop home fires due to faulty electrical cables.

The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) launched in London to ensure the use of safe electrical cables such as those made at the Eastleigh and Bishopstoke plants of Prysmian cables, where Chris Huhne is picture here on a visit.

The ACI addresses the issue of unsafe, non-approved and counterfeit cables entering the UK marketplace, a prime cause of thousands of fires in homes and businesses across England and Wales.

The Initiative takes a proactive and hard hitting approach to educating the electrical supply chain – from manufacturer to end user. This is the first initiative of its kind in the electrical industry with the aim to communicate, educate, investigate, eradicate and legislate.

Michael Simms, President of the British Cables Association and director of energy and telecom cables at the Eastleigh-based Prysmian Cables and Systems Ltd, is leading the launch in Westminster.

In 2009, Mr Huhne tabled parliamentary questions on behalf of Prysmian, which revealed that there were 4,093 fires across England in 2007 that were attributable to faulty wires and cables in homes and businesses. This is 27 per cent of all electrical fires.

“Sub-standard and counterfeit cables pose a real threat to lives and livelihood, as the figures I have uncovered reveal.

“These cables look very similar to properly tested and manufactured cables, but can rapidly overheat, thereby posing a real fire risk.

“This excellent initiative will help increase awareness of the problem, and highlight the real need for people to ensure that cables made to EU safety standards are always used.

“The importation and use of counterfeit cables is a completely avoidable hazard, and one the Government need to help stamp out by supporting initiatives such as the ACI.”

End

Notes to Eds

Launch details: Tuesday 2 March 2010, One Great George Street, Westminster, SW1P 3AA

For more details, contact Peter Smeeth at peter.smeeth@aci.org.uk or on 020 8946 6978 or 07973 636688