MLA and MP encourage locals to swap to air fryers

THE first of two electrical exchange events took place at Trevor Clarke MLA’s office on Railway Street in Antrim recently.

Back in November 2023, Mr Clarke and South Antrim MP Paul Girvan helped secure £10,000 for Antrim Community Development Association and Steeple Community Association from ‘Electrical Safety First’, an organisation dedicated to electrical safety and fire prevention.

The scheme allows for the exchange of over 200 electrical appliances, with the aim of taking dangerous and fire-hazardous electrical items out of the homes of Antrim Residents and replacing them with safer and more cost effective appliances.

Trevor Clarke told the Antrim Guardian that the scheme has been ‘very successful so far’ with dozens of new air fryers and oil-based heaters given out and more on their way.

Paul Girvan MP added that he was “delighted that so many members of the community have come forward to put the electrical safety of their families and community first by parting with their old, potentially dangerous appliances.”

Both Paul Girvan MP and Trevor Clarke MLA have praised Steeple Community Association and Antrim Community Development Association for running this innovative scheme in Antrim Town.

They have called on any residents of South Antrim who have a deep fat fryer/chip pan or electric fan/element heater to exchange, who have not yet availed of the scheme, to contact either of their offices as there are still a number of air fryers and oil based heaters to give out.

Looking to the future, Mr Clarke and Mr Girvan are keen to build on the success of the projects stating their intention is to secure funding for other local community groups to run similar schemes throughout South Antrim to make as many homes as safe as possible.