- Bernadette Faulkner, who is 4 feet 10 inches tall, had to use a stepladder to reach her prepaid meter.
- Coroner Ian Potter published a ‘Future Death Prevention Report’, criticizing where the meters were installed
An 80-year-old woman died while trying to refill her electricity meter in a London council flat, a coroner has revealed.
Bernadette Faulkner, who is 4 feet 10 inches tall, had to use a stepladder to reach the prepaid meter, which is about 8 feet off the ground.
The mother and YMCA volunteer was renting her home in Ord Hall Street, Bloomsbury, from Camden Borough Council.
Following the inquest into her death, Coroner Ian Potter published an unprecedented “Future Death Prevention Report”, criticizing where the meters had been installed.
“On December 2, 2022, Mrs. Faulkner purchased a power meter credit and climbed onto a stepladder to place the credit on the meter,” he wrote in a report to the Department of Housing, Planning and Building Safety. ing.
“While trying to access the meter, she fell off the ladder and landed on the floor, where she was found by a neighbor several hours later.”
“There appears to be no industry standard requiring that electricity meters be easily (albeit securely) accessible to all potential customers, except perhaps in new build properties.
“In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe you have the power to take such action.”
According to the Evening Standard, Faulkner initially refused an ambulance and spent two days on the bathroom floor without any phone service.
She called an ambulance around 6pm on December 4th and was taken to hospital, where she later died from her injuries on December 8th.
Mr Potter said Mrs Faulkner would not be able to reach the prepay meter without a step and anyone entering the building would not be able to see her using the stepladder behind the door.
Under new codes of practice introduced by Ofgem, prepayment meters should only be installed in “safe and practical” locations.
It also says energy providers cannot force residents over 75 to install meters, and vulnerable customers can request that their meters be relocated.
However, Mrs. Faulkner’s meter was installed 20 years ago and would not have been affected by this guidance.
A spokesperson for Ofgem said: “Our thoughts are with Bernadette’s family and friends following this incredibly tragic incident.”
“Suppliers are encouraged to carefully consider whether their customers’ meters are safe and suitable for use, and proactively consider whether their customers are vulnerable and need further support, and whether they are eligible to join priority service registration. We look forward to identifying you (PSR).
A Department for Housing, Planning and Building Safety spokesperson said: “We would like to extend our sympathies to Bernadette’s family on this tragic incident.”
“We will carefully consider the findings of the autopsy report and will respond fully in due course.”