A new name, a new look and targeted industry engagement to ensure consumer safety, are helping this electrical safety charity ensure that its relevance in the C21st goes from strength to strength.
Electricity is ubiquitous, so while it’s not surprising we forget its dangers that doesn’t make them disappear. Half of all household fires - more than 20,000 annually – are caused by electricity, with an estimated cost of £44.5K per fire. But the human cost far outweighs the damage to bricks and mortar. Each week in the UK, one person dies from an electrical accident and well over a quarter of a million are injured annually .
On 28th March this year, the UK’s only dedicated electrical safety charity – the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) - became
Electrical Safety First.
The ESC has existed since 2005, although its history can be traced back to the middle of the 20th century. During this time we have helped develop policy for electrical safety, undertaken major public safety campaigns and research projects and promoted high-level industry engagement. We believe we have helped save lives.
Our core objective was – and remains – to protect people from the risks of electricity. But despite the success of our high profile campaigns, feedback showed that many were unclear about our remit and purpose.
Over the last 18 months we have researched and consulted extensively, to determine how the public, industry, government and other stakeholders, view our organisation. This isn’t vanity – to achieve our objective, people need to know who we are and how we can help.
Some believed we were a trade association, while others considered us part of government. Few realised we are a consumer charity, existing to protect people by providing advice and information – and by campaigning to improve electrical safety.
To be truly effective, we realised we needed an image which highlighted the importance of electrical safety and the consumer campaigning at the core of our work.
We chose the name
Electrical Safety Firstto ensure that everyone in the UK understands the importance of electrical safety and that this remains a priority for all - consumers, trade and government. To reflect this we have developed a new look, using clear, attractive and slightly retro images. The design is streamlined, clean and accessible but always informed by the expertise we hold within the organisation.
One thing, though, will not change. We will continue to support our campaigns – including those on product recall and the private rented sector - through liaison and partnership with industry and government. In fact, such engagement is being extended, as we increase our presence on the European stage. However, we hope that, by emphasising our role as a consumer champion, our rebrand will help ensure the charity is fit for purpose in the 21st century. Because, as our name clearly shows, we are here to put
Electrical Safety First.