Safety makes common sense at home

If you ever:

• Feel a tingle from an appliance
• Damage an appliance
• Spill liquid on or near an appliance

 

Turn off the main switch immediately, then unplug the appliance. Repairs should always be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor.

 

You should also turn off the main switch and contact a professional if you feel a tingle from plumbing, other metal or your sink. This could indicate problems with earthing.

 

Don’t do it yourself

Attempting to do electrical work yourself is against the law and could cause serious injury or death. All electrical wiring work, including the connection and technical maintenance of fixed appliances, like hotplates, ovens, ceiling fans or water heaters, must be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor. You should always follow the manufacturer's electrical directions for using and maintaining your appliances. Home made extension cords can be a real hazard too; pre-assembled ones are cheaper and much safer.

 

Non-electrical DIY work

Whenever you plan to work around the house or garden, think about the location of powerlines and cables. This is particularly important if you are cutting, nailing or screwing into walls or partitions, or using a metal ladder outdoors.

View the Integral Energy home safety checklist >>

Read about fuses, circuit breakers and safety switches >>

Find out more about earthing >>

Emergency situation? Click here >>

 

Integral Energy has produced a variety of leaflets that provide safety tips and recommendations. 

Home safety checklist

In every room:

• check for any damaged or broken appliances, power points, light switches or power leads
• check for any ‘stacked' double adapters or excessive use of extension leads
• check for exposed power points within reach of children, and fit plastic safety inserts

 

In the kitchen

• make sure that small appliances are well away from the sink or draining board

 

In the bathroom

• remove portable heaters; if necessary arrange to have a proper bathroom heater installed
• make sure everyone in the house knows that hair dryers, shavers, and other appliances must be used only with dry hands
• make sure all the family are aware that special care must be taken to ensure that appliances do not come into contact with water

 

The laundry, pool or spa

• electricity supplies in wet areas should be protected by installed or portable safety switches; these sensitive devices instantly cut off power in the event of an irregularity
• use only low voltage (12-24 volt) accessories with, or near pools, fountains, spas or other water installations

 

In the garage or workshop

• If there are any temporary electricity supplies, arrange to have permanent fixtures installed

All about earth wires

Earth wires are your life-lines. If a fault occurs, power will flow to the earth by the shortest and easiest path. So if an appliance is not properly earthed, the power could flow through the body of the user causing serious injury or even death.

 

The earth wires from your power points join a main earth wire which in turn is attached to a metal stake driven into the ground and/or a metal water pipe. This connection should be checked from time to time to see that it is still connected, and not damaged.

 

Talk to a licensed electrical contractor if: 

• you are in any doubt about your earth connection
• the earthwire needs to be shifted for any reason
• a metal water pipe is altered
• a metal water pipe is replaced by a plastic water pipe