A reminder to everyone - FatallyFlawed - Child Plug Socket Covers Campaign

[Plonker 3]

Not really, just the person we were doing the work for thought that if he could blame someone else they would even twisting words we said. Quite sad really.

 

[Knobhead]

From David at Fatally Flawed

An update on today’s IET Webcast “Working to engineer a better world”.

The subject was raised, but the only comment was made by Nigel Fine, the Chief Executive, who clearly had no idea of the significance of the issues. Please bear in mind that the socket cover issue was first raised with the IET at the beginning of 2008. If you did not hear the live webcast, you can hear the recording here, the segment begins at 25:00 minutes:
MyVoice: Working to engineer a better world webcast

Mr Fine waffles about investigating the issues and if necessary feeding into the wiring regs committee for incorporation into the regs if required.

 

[Spoon]

I was in a meeting last week and they were going on about safety and how we should use some of the fire safety ideas at home as well. I thought that it would be a good idea to point out the dangers of the 'safety' socket cover. One of the main project guys actually laughed at me. "Its a safety item".... Even after explaining everything to him he still wasn't having any of it. You just can't help some people...

 

[Knobhead]

That’s what we’re up against, 30 years of misinformation. To get people to see sense all the ingrained dogma has to be cleared aside.

Don’t give up the fight because of this set back.

 

[Knobhead]

Just a reminder to everyone, could you all please keep banging the drum for the Fatally Flawed site and campaign?

 

[happysteve]

I do, Tony, I do.

Here's an idea.

Produce a laminated information card you can attach to one of these things (only needs one hole punched in it, or 3 if you're being really lar de dar). On it, print summat like:

"You probably think you are helping improve safety by putting this bit of plastic into your socket, but the opposite is true. Whilst your good intentions are clear, you are making matters worse. UK 13A sockets are inherently safe...."

... then words of your choice pointing out the whys and wherefors, and a link to the fatally flawed website.

Bung a "danger of death by electricity" yellow triangle on it too.

This will be really useful when you see them out and about (libraries, pubs/function rooms etc) and the people there to complain to couldn't give a monkey's because it's not their job and/or they don't want to get fired for removing what their boss might well insist is a "safety" item.

I propose that this gorilla awareness campaign (~waves at GMES~) might have some effect.

Customers will notice it and ask questions. They might well have them at home and get rid of them (double win!).

The owners (or their staff) will notice it. If you word it right, so they don't feel too foolish ("We know your intentions were honorable" or whatever) then they might do summat about it. After all, if they have to remove the piece of plastic to remove the notice (to bin the notice), they are more likely to bin the bit of plastic too, rather than go to the effort of putting it back in.

If you need some money to make the laminates, I'm happy to bung you a few quid.

 

[Knobhead]

I have no say in how the campaign is lead, I support it and promote it.

I will point Dave of Fatally Flawed to your post. If electrical contractors would take this onboard it would go a long way to getting rid of the damn things.

My son was 30 this year, I’ve been fighting against them ever since the wife was given a pack at a prenatal class. I had to hold a metal screwdriver and push against a live socket outlet to convince her. She ain’t daft, she went to check the ring was live. I’d have looked a silly bugger if it had gone wrong.

 

[telectrix]

just good to see that it's still active. keep up the good work.

 

[ipf]

Working in my local doctors surgery the other day. I was actually in one of the docs' treatment rooms and noticed a couple of 'em in a d socket. Asked him what they were doing there. He said he hadn't removed them because the socket wasn't used...and it was in his room and not open to general use. He then added that, since my instruction about a year ago, all the staff, doctors included, were aware of the risks. Sure enough, throughout the premises, no sign of any others. Some do listen and think.

 

[Knobhead]

So far I’ve managed to get them banned in two healthcare trusts. It’s blood hard work to persuade people who for the last thirty years have been convinced they are a good thing.

 

[Sintra]

Funnily enough I was at the docs about 9 months ago for my quarterly mot and saw them fitted throughout the practice. The doc that was seeing me was the head of the practice so I showed him the dangers of inserting one of these upside down thus opening the live terminals. I directed him towards the fatally flawed site which he looked at and within 5 minutes he had an email sent to all his staff to have them removed. When I was back for my next mot he said that he had forwarded a link to the site to all the other practices in the health centre and after them all having a meeting, it was agreed to have them removed throughout the building.

 

[Knobhead]

Playgroups are the ones that need targeting. It seems that the inspectors make their own rules up as OFSTED has no official policy on the matter of socket covers.

 

[Jason Howard]

I have also started a campaign in my area. I have also arranged an awareness programme in my community for this purpose and other purposes. Hope this is going to help.

 

[Jason Howard]

Please help me. please tell me how you people convince the pre-school admins to not to use these safety covers. My next target are these kindergartens so any suggestions???/

 

[Tiny Spark]

Please help me. please tell me how you people convince the pre-school admins to not to use these safety covers. My next target are these kindergartens so any suggestions???/

Just show them and point out the dangers, nothing makes a better impression than a demo.

Obv dont electrocute anyone though!!