Electricity: The Invisible Danger

Your home should be a safe haven for you and your family. Electricity plays a huge role in our day to day lives and is often taken for granted. It also poses potentially fatal safety risks which is why only qualified, trained and licensed electricians are to carry out electrical work domestically and commercially.

Use this guide to ensure your family’s safety at home.

DIY electrical work

• Check for wiring before you drill anywhere, or hang anything on a wall.
• Use the Dial before you dig – 1100.com.au service before conducting any form of excavation, no matter the size. This minimises the risk to your safety and any damage to electrical infrastructure.
• Never repair electrical appliances yourself.
•  NEVER DIY electrical work. Wiring, power point replacement or relocation, light switch installation or relocation, or installation of any permanent electrical fixture including ceiling fans and lighting are all electrical tasks that can only be carried out by a licensed electrician.

Appliances

• If an appliance is faulty, stop using it immediately. Have it replaced, or checked by a licensed electrician.
• Do not operate any electrical appliance with wet hands.
• Keep appliances away from water and only clean them as directed by the manufacturer.

Power points & cords

• Do not overload a power point using multiple adaptors. Have a 4-way power point installed by an electrician and adequate safety switches.
• Unplug appliances by the plug, not by pulling the cord. Make sure power is switched off before plugging or unplugging an appliance.
• Never use a power board for a heater or dryer.

Extension lead safety

• Ensure the cord is unwound or it may melt from overheating.
• Keep cords away from power tools, like saws.
• Keep cords away from the weather.
• Do not use an appliance that has a broken cord or exposed wiring.
• Never run extension cords through walls, over beams, around corners or through doorways as they could get damaged.

Outdoor electrical safety

• Check for overhead powerlines – Look up and Live.
• Keep electrical equipment away from the pool.
• Outdoor power points must be approved and weatherproof.
• Only use lighting that is suitable for outdoor use as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never use portable appliances or tools near water or when it is raining.
• Check that your plants are clear of power lines. Never trim trees close to power lines.

Safety Switches

• Check your switchboard, or have an electrician upgrade it when making changes. All too often we see switchboards with inadequate safety switches.
• If your safety switch keeps tripping, this indicates a problem with an appliance, faulty safety switch or other electrical faults. You must call an electrician as soon as possible to fix the issue and ensure your family’s safety.

If you are in need of electrical work, be it anything from moving a power point, or investigating a tripping safety switch always call on the advice of an electrician. Fallon Solutions electricians are qualified, licensed and highly trained to help you with any domestic electrical safety needs.

Call us on 1300 712 028