Another sad tragedy that could have been avoided, but due to a lack of understanding in regard to voltage and load etc it was not. I commented on this in the article on Unapproved extension chords and maybe oneday we might see positive action taken in this area. My suggestions are:

1) All extension chords to be a minimum of 12# 2) All extension chords to have a legitiemate safety certificate. 3) All retailers are to only accept those chords with legit safety certificate signed by the highest electrical authority in the land, and accepted by other world wide electrical organisations such as the IEE etc, not forgeting the marine industry and organisations such as VERITAS and LLOYDS OF London etc. 4) All extension chords to be sold with an instruction pamflet explaining clearly how to use it and the maximum number of items with examples that can be connected to it.

I know that my suggestions would make the item a bit more expensive, but then how much is a loving family worth? How much does it cost to pick up the peices after such a terrible tragedy? To me it would be worth it to put these suggestions in place.

One other suggestion is to come up with a standard set of rules accepted worldwide and signed by all electrical governing bodies not only the big guys but in major industrialised countries as well. This set of rules will be much like the ROHSS rules that are now governing the Electronic industry today. That way maybe we can stop the inflow is below standard electrical products from developing countries and the like.

And finaly any retailer found to be selling below standard extension chords is to be penalised for doing so only after having recieved notifcation of the legal implications for selling below standard products, without excuse.

What do you think.