(openPR) - The past view weeks have seen a series of shocking accidents involving children and electric gates. Two girls, Semelia Campbell, aged 6, of Moss Side in Manchester and Karolina Golabek, aged 5, of Bridgend in S. Wales, were tragically killed in separate incidents in which they were trapped by sliding electric gates. Samuel Currier, age 7, of Old Trafford in Manchester was fortunate to survive a similar incident with leg and chest injuries.

In each event, safety equipment should have been fitted to the electric gates to prevent the children from becoming trapped. The police and Health and Safety Executive will now be investigating to see whether this was the case and, if fitted, why the electric gate safety devices failed to prevent the accidents.

The safety of electric gates can be enhanced with a range of equipment, including internal and external beams, in-ground safety loops, and pressure-sensitive safety edges, each of which can help avoid trapping and crushing injuries.

Earlier this year, the Health and Safety Executive issued a safety notice to electric gate manufacturers, designers and installers following the inquest into the death of 9-year old Jason Keet in Poole in 2006. This latest spate of tragic events highlights once again just how important it is to ensure that a comprehensive risk assessment is carried out prior to the design and installation of electric gates, and for the gates and gate safety equipment to be regularly checked and professionally maintained.

Chris Lewis Fire and Security would like to reassure customers that it already adheres to all of the required actions of the Health and Safety Executive, but welcomes anyone concerned about the safety of their existing electric gates, vehicle barriers or bollards to get in touch for a free electric gate safety inspection.

About Chris Lewis Fire & Security

Chris Lewis Fire & Security is a leader in innovative secrity and fire alarm solutions. With branches in Oxford, Southampton, Bournemouth and London, they are recognised as the number one provider of electric gates and other security and fire prevention installations for domestic and commercial premises across the South of England.

The guiding principles on which Chris Lewis Fire & Security is founded are to deliver systems that are unique to each customer’s specific requirements, and to exceed customers' expectations in terms of standards of workmanship and quality of service.

Chris Lewis Fire & Security contact
Petra Merne
Isis Business Centre, Pony Road, Cowley, Oxford OX4 2RD
p.merne@chrislewisfs.co.uk
01865 782444
www.chrislewisfs.co.uk