Electrical
safety tips for homeowners
Electrical safety tips for homeowners
Electrically-powered
lights, appliances, TVs and other technology are so commonplace now that most
people don’t think much about electricity, except perhaps during a power
failure or when the monthly municipal bill arrives.
Never touch any
electrical appliances such as a hairdryer or shaver if your hands are wet.
So it
is no surprise really that most homeowners are unaware of potential electrical
hazards around their houses, or of the personal and financial losses they can
cause, says Berry Everitt, managing director of the Chas Everitt
International property group
According
to Eskom, many people who die or suffer serious injury from electric shock
every year in South
Africa do so as a result of illegal activities such as cable theft,
unlawful connections and vandalism.
However,
Everitt says , many also die because of negligence or carelessness around
electrical wiring, plugs and appliances.
“Meanwhile,
according to the Fire Protection Association about
half of the 10 000 house fires that occur in SA each year are caused by an
electrical short.
Too many appliances
plugged into a single outlet could indicate that your home does not have enough
electrical outlets or capacity to meet your current needs.
"These
fires, including the terrible infernos that rage through informal settlements
result in at least 300 to 400 more deaths a year with thousands of people
having to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation.”
Consequently,
he says, homeowners should be more alert to the following warning signs that
all is not well with their electrical system, so that they can switch off the
mains as soon as possible and call in a qualified electrician to rectify the
problem.
1.
Receiving a shock from any appliance, such as a toaster, stove or washing
machine.
2. The
smell of burning metal or plastic which may indicate a loose or broken
connection, a malfunctioning switch or light fixture, overheating components,
arcing or sparking inside the walls or damaged wire.
Do not keep using any
appliance such as a kettle or a heater that causes the power to trip.
3.
Flickering or dimming lights, which could also indicate a loose connection,
overloaded circuits, improper wiring, or arcing and sparking inside the walls.
4. Hot,
discoloured switch plates, cords or plugs, which indicate an overload or
product malfunction.
5.
Overloaded wall outlets. Too many appliances plugged into a single outlet could
indicate that your home does not have enough electrical outlets or capacity to
meet your current needs.
6. A
wavering picture on the TV or computer screen when a large appliance such as
the stove is turned on. This could mean you have too many appliances plugged
into one circuit, or that your home needs additional electrical capacity.
Everitt
says homeowners would be even better advised to take precautions to avoid
electrical problems from occurring in the first place, beginning by having the
electrical system properly inspected.
“The
International Electrical Safety Foundation recommends an inspection for any
house more than 40 years old and for any house more than 10 years old that has
had any major renovation or major appliance added. It also says all homes
should be inspected at the time of resale, as is compulsory in SA.”
In
addition, he says, you should never:
1.
Tamper with appliances while they’re plugged in, sticking a knife into the
toaster being the classic example.
2.
Touch any electrical appliance such as a hairdryer or shaver if your hands are
wet.
3.Keep
using any appliance such as a kettle or a heater that causes the power to trip.
4. Use
power tools for anything other than their original purpose, or without wearing
shoes.
5. Walk
bare feet while using an electric lawnmower.
6. Use
electrical cords or extensions with exposed wires.
7. Try
to move a fallen outdoor power cable – rather stay well clear and call in an
expert as soon as possible.
