The head of the Cyprus Electrical Contractors Association has sounded an alarm over the grave safety threats posed by poor-quality electrical devices. His caution comes on the heels of a tragic house fire in Limassol where an entire family of five lost their lives: a father aged 35, a mother aged 32, and their children aged seven, three, and two.

In a sharply critical statement, George Kyriakou chastised the authorities for their lethargy, lack of action, and failure to carry out appropriate inspections. He claimed these deficiencies have resulted in avoidable fatalities, fires, and significant property loss.

“Our market is inundated with unsafe electrical devices, many of which have been tested overseas and found extremely dangerous for use,” Kyriakou remarked. He called for the introduction of stricter regulations, obligatory adherence to safety standards, and the establishment of a comprehensive market oversight mechanism.

Kyriakou highlighted that proposed legislative changes have been stalled for several years, with some proposals dating back to as early as 2017. A crucial bill aimed at enhancing inspections was withdrawn last year by the transport minister, who instead initiated another round of public consultation, leaving the issue unsettled.

Although the authorities are aware of the dangers, they claim to be restricted by European regulations, allowing thousands of homes to be equipped with hazardous electrical products.

Referring to official government statistics, Kyriakou noted that there were three fire-related deaths in 2024 and five in 2025, accompanied by hundreds of fires and near-miss episodes. He warned that if the authorities fail to address the issue, the repercussions will only intensify.

His statement is a powerful reminder that lives are jeopardized due to weak enforcement and gaps in regulations, stressing the urgent need for decisive measures to avert further disasters.