Plugged in for Safety

Members of the town's Polish community can now pick up EU-to-UK conversion electrical plugs at Southend Library's weekly information sessions. The free plugs are being provided along with copies of the Electrical Safety Council's (ESC) Polish / English language information leaflets: "Adapt your electrical appliances for safe UK use" and "Fire Safety in the Home".

The EU-to-UK conversion plugs incorporate a fuse making it possible for people to use their own electrical appliances safely. The plugs have been generously donated by the ESC, working in partnership with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service and Southend Borough Libraries.

Polish people coming to the UK often bring their own electrical equipment with them, such as mobile phone chargers that equipped with two pin plugs. People are unaware of the dangers of using these appliances in UK sockets if they have not been correctly converted for use in this country - this could easily cause a fire or electric shock.

The benefits of using EU-to-UK conversion plugs are:

• They can be fitted easily, quickly and safely.
• The plug will make the electrical appliance safe for use in UK sockets.
• The plug will reduce the risk of fire and electric shock.

The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) is an independent charity committed to reducing deaths and injuries through electrical accidents at home and at work (www.esc.org.uk for more details).