Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:28 pm on 27 November 2019.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I hope the National Assembly will join me in marking Electrical Fire Safety Week Wales, which is taking place between 25 and 29 November 2019. Electrical Safety First is a charity that works to prevent electrical accidents and fires in the home in Wales. Whilst the overall number of accidental fires in Wales is in sustained decline, fires with an electrical distribution source have continued to rise. Furthermore, it's reported that 27,000 homes in Wales are at a real risk of electrical problems. The charity has recently produced a report entitled 'Improving Electrical Safety and Preventing Fires in Wales'.
As Assembly Members, we have the power to play a part in protecting vulnerable constituents from fires and electrical accidents in their homes. So, can I thank those Members of this Senedd who are sharing these important safety messages with their constituents as part of electrical safety week? Take pride in the fact that you are helping to prevent accidents and fires caused by electricity in homes. The evidence tells us that these messages are very important in those communities with concentrations of older housing stock, and that will include many Valleys communities like my own in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.
As it happens, I do know from personal experience that electrical safety and preventing fires from electrical distribution is important. So, please take the chance to support Electrical Fire Safety Week in Wales, because, put quite simply, it can help save lives.