Indoor safety tips
We need to be aware of the potential hazards associated with electricity so we can all stay safe. The following safety tips relate to electricity inside the home.
Most electrical accidents happen indoors so consider some of the following safety precautions.
Plugs, cords and power boards
Replace damaged or frayed cords and extension leads.
- When removing a plug from the power point, never pull on the power cord.
- Use safety plugs in power points to keep your children safe.
- Never use more than one adaptor or power board at a power point.
- Only attach low powered appliances to power boards.
Appliances
- If you feel a shock or a tingle from an appliance, tap, laundry tub or shower head in your home, do not touch or enter that area again and call us immediately to report it on 13 13 88.
- Do not touch electrical appliances with wet hands.
- Wear dry shoes with rubber soles when using electrical appliances in laundries, on wet floors, or outside.
- Keep electrical appliances away from water even when switched off.
- Do not use portable electric heaters in a bathroom - a fixed heater installed by an electrician is safer.
- Read and follow the instructions that come with any new appliance you purchase.
Safety Precautions
Shocks or tingles from metal objects.
- Use only licensed electricians to carry out electrical work such as installing power points or repairing electrical faults.
- Use safety switches at your fuse box or electrical outlet whenever possible - the safety switch detects most electrical faults which could pass through the human body causing electric shock.
- Switch off the power before replacing light bulbs - be extra careful if your light is operated by a two-way switch.