We have joined forces with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and Mobility Care Solutions to provide vital e-vehicle health checks for our customers to ensure they are safe in their homes.
The health checks were carried out at customers’ homes in Lakeside Village on e-bikes, e-scooters and mobility scooters. Mobility Care Solutions checked the vehicles’ overall condition and electrical components, such as the vehicle’s battery and charging, to make sure it was in working condition and to reduce the fire safety risk of e-vehicles in customers’ homes.
Customers were also given advice and information from TWFRS personnel about how to safely use, store and charge their vehicle during the checks.
Our Fire and Building Safety Team have been working closely with customers in Lakeside Village, which consists of seven high-rise residential buildings in Silksworth, to identify anyone in the buildings with an electric vehicle, to offer this free service.
Gemma Darville, Head of Health, Safety, Risk and Assurance at Gentoo, said: “The safety of our customers is our number one priority here at Gentoo and we’re committed to working with customers and external partners to make sure their homes are safe.
“There’s been an increase of fires from lithium-ion batteries found in e-vehicles in homes across the country, and we wanted to offer these free of charge health checks, so customers are assured their e-vehicle is safe and to minimise the risk of a fire starting in one of our buildings.”
Janet Marrs, a customer at Lakeside Village, said: “I’m really happy that Gentoo organised these safety checks and I feel a lot more confident storing my mobility scooter in my home now it’s been looked at.”
Shaun Kelly, Prevention Manager at TWFRS, said: “Keeping our communities safe is at the core of what we do, and that includes helping residents reduce fire risks in their homes.
“We are committed to working with partners to promote safer practices for e-vehicles, so through these health checks, we’re able to offer guidance on safer charging, storage, and usage of electric vehicles, especially to avoid risks associated with aftermarket chargers, charging overnight, and parts sourced online.
“These checks are crucial in reducing the likelihood of preventable fires, ensuring that residents feel confident and safe in their homes.”
Alongside Mobility Care Solutions and TWFRS, we will be carrying out more health checks on e-vehicles in the coming months for customers living in other high-rise residential buildings.
Customers will be contacted directly to arrange convenient appointments soon.
