Electrical Safety
Electricity can be dangerous, but by
taking some simple steps you can reduce the risk to you and your
neighbours.
Plugs and sockets
For plugs and sockets, keep an eye out for the following:
- Hot plugs or sockets, scorch marks,
fuses that often blow, or flickering lights – they are all signs of
loose wiring or other electrical problems.
- Badly wired plugs – any coloured
wires sticking out could come loose and debris could also get into
the plug.
- Overloaded sockets – plugging too
many electrical appliances into one socket can lead to
overheating.
- Use sockets safely – it’s better to
use a bar adaptor (multi board) on a lead than a block
adaptor.
Heaters
When using a plug-in heater you should:
- Keep it clear of curtains and
furniture.
- Only sit at least three feet (one
metre) away from it.
- Buy it from a reputable shop.
- Never dry washing on or near it.
Cables and leads
The risks with cables and leads
include:
- Getting frayed and damaged – make
sure the outer covering of all power leads is in good condition and
replace if necessary.
- Being badly positioned – they
shouldn’t be anywhere that they could be tripped over, or near
water, cookers or other sources of heat.
- Running them under rugs or carpets
where they can wear through without anyone noticing – position them
elsewhere.
Appliances
All electrical equipment you buy
should have the CE, BEAB and BS safety marks. When using electrical
appliances, you should never:
- Get them wet – this includes plugs
and sockets, so don’t put a vase of flowers on top of the TV, for
example.
- Leave them on at night – unless they
are designed to be left on, like freezers.
- Put anything in the microwave that is
made of metal, or has a metallic finish or parts.
Second hand goods
Beware when buying second hand goods. They may be old and worn
out. If you do buy a second hand appliance you should get it safety
tested by a qualified expert before you use it.
Maintenance
Electrical appliances, especially ones
that run at high speeds and contain motors, like washing machines,
should be serviced once a year by a qualified electrician.
Fuses
When you’re fitting or replacing a fuse, it’s important to use
the right fuse for the appliance. Check the manual or look for a
sticker on the appliance to find out its wattage and then use the
correct fuse.
Electrical Safety
Council
Website http://www.esc.org.uk/