Electrical Safety

Maintain your property’s electrical services

Maintain safe electrical services at your home or business - an electric shock, a fuse blowing repeatedly, a circuit breaker operating repeatedly, sparking, spluttering or overheating appliances, tingling from metal surfaces - all indicate faulty connections to equipment or wiring at your premises. Any works or checks carried out on your property must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Be sure to ask for your copy of the Installation Test Certificate, as this is your guarantee that work has been done to standard.

Earthing

The earth wire in any electrical appliance may be your ‘lifeline’. If an appliance is not properly earthed the power may flow through the user's body and may cause a fatal shock. Power points should also be earthed – and switched off when not in use.

Appliance Cords and Extension Leads

Always pull appliances out by the plug, never by the cord – switch the power off at the wall first. A stack of plugs connected to double adaptors is simply foolish. Having another power point installed is cheaper than a fire. Frayed or damaged cords are dangerous. Discard them and replace them with safe, insulated three-core flex. Extension cords must be properly wired, using modern approved three-pin plugs and sockets. Never use a twin cord flex as an extension cord.

Overhead Electricity Lines

Seek advice from Power and Water before removing vegetation around electricity lines and keep all structures and vehicles clear of all electricity lines at, or over, your property. If you are pruning mango trees, moving heavy machinery or other industrial equipment, contact us for advice first.
Never play near powerlines. If something gets caught in overhead wires, notify Power and Water and they will retrieve it for you.

Fallen Power Lines – three simple safety rules

1. Stand well clear, do NOT touch the wires.
2. Stand guard to prevent other people from going near the wires.
3. Send someone to call Power and Water’s emergency number (1800 245 090) or the Police. If you are alone, wait for someone to pass by and ask them to assist.