If you cast your mind around your home, you might be surprised at how many appliances and other items of electrical equipment you have and use on a regular basis. But are they safe? Here are six electrical safety tips that will help to keep everyone protected in your home and might even cut down on your power bills.
1. Replace faulty or aged appliances
Damaged cords and cracked plugs can be dangerous, as can old appliances without a regulatory compliance mark (RCM) or without insulted pins. If you have any of these issues in your home, you should either upgrade to a more modern and safer model or call a qualified electrician to repair the item. Never attempt to repair faulty electrical equipment or power points yourself!
2. Don’t piggyback adaptors
Don’t piggyback multiple appliances onto the same power point with two or three adaptors all fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle, as this can cause an electrical overload resulting in a potential fire. If you don’t have sufficient power outlets in your home, the best option is to call an electrician to install more points or use a power board with a safety switch.
3. Empty the clothes dryer filter
Most of us have a tumble dryer at home and although we try not to use it very often (because of the cost), there are still times when it is simply more convenient than hanging clothes outside. The problem is that many of us forget about cleaning the lint filter, which if left too long, can result in a fire. This is because lint is a highly flammable material and the high temperatures inside the tumble dryer can actually set fire to this lint. Removing the lint also helps the dryer to operate more efficiently, helping to cut down on your power bills.
4. Don’t ignore flickering lights
Some of us think that flickering lights are just a normal occurrence and don’t pay them any attention. Flickering lights however, are not normal and usually indicate a problem. It might mean that you have overloaded a circuit in your home or that the electrical panel has a problem that needs to be investigated. If you can’t immediately identify the cause of the flickering lights, you should call your local electrician to fix the problem.
5. Use extension cords wisely
Extension cords should only be used as a temporary measure, they aren’t meant to be used on a permanent basis to power your equipment or appliances. When you do use them however, always make sure that they have three metal insulated pins, not two (which can be dangerous as they are not earthed) and don’t place the cables where people can trip over them or where they can be damaged. Also, don’t piggyback extension leads together or attach an adapter that allows you to plug in more than one item of equipment to the cable. Also, if your extension leads are damaged, be sure to replace them, rather than fixing them with duct tape – it’s a safety issue!
6. If in doubt, call an electrician
You might not realise it, but one of the biggest causes of death and injury in the home is directly related to homeowners trying to fix their own electrical problems. We know that it can sometimes be costly to call an electrician, but in the end, the cost of losing someone you love will be much higher.
Call 1300 862 796 for a fully qualified electrician in Melbourne.
