In Australia, electrical appliances, equipment and installation accounted for 75% of electrical deaths tabulated in the year 2009-2010, with the second highest number of incidents happening in the state of NSW, home of the beautiful and populated cities of Bondi and Sydney.
This number can be decreased, and residents and employees can experience electrical safety at home and at the office. But this will only happen if you heed the advice of your local electrician and always follow safety measures when handling electrical devices.
When it comes to using electrical appliances at home, these are the things you should strictly follow:
Usage
• Never touch electrical appliances when hands are wet and feet are bare.
• Wear rubber or plastic soled shoes when using electrical appliances, especially if you’re stepping on concrete floors and when outdoors.
• Never use a faulty or ageing appliance as this may have a broken plug or frayed cord.
• Turn off power points before unplugging appliances.
• Never put metal plates or aluminium foil inside your microwave.
• Always switch off and unplug the toaster before taking anything out.
• Be extra careful when using electrical appliances attached to power outlets near kitchen or bathroom sinks, tubs, swimming pools, and other wet areas.
Storage
• Avoid wrapping electrical cords tightly around appliances.
• Always ensure electrical cords do not lie on top of a stove.
• Keep cords away from the edge of counters as these can easily be reached by little kids or pets.
• Also keep cords away from areas prone to falls, especially near baths or sinks.
• Make sure electrical appliances are not stored in cramped areas and have enough breathing space.
• Don’t place appliances near combustible materials.
Maintenance
• Clean electrical appliances regularly to avoid build-up of dust and spilled or burnt foods (in case of kitchen appliances).
• When cleaning your appliances though, never use detergents or spray insecticides on them as these might cause cracking and result to an electrical hazard.
• Never attempt to fix appliances by yourself. Contact your trusted electrician instead.
• Discard appliances that have been immersed in water and never use them again.
• Also discard any damaged extension cords.
Your home can be safe from electrical accidents if you follow the proper usage, storage and maintenance of electrical appliances. Follow the tips above to ensure your family is kept safe from any untoward incidents.
To ensure your home is securely wired, consider hiring electrical contractors in Sydney to do the job for you. As they say, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
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