Keep electricity safety in mind this festive season
Residents are reminded that while they plan their festive décor and ways to enjoy the long summer days, it is important to keep electricity safety in mind, especially for the children at home.
After a rough year, the festive season offers a much-needed respite.
Residents are reminded that while they plan their festive décor and ways to enjoy the long summer days, it is important to keep electrical safety in mind, especially for the children at home.
Eskom recently embarked on a drive to ensure children are safe while at home.
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Staying at home
For residents who are staying home this year and would like to create a festive ambience with some lights, the golden rule is always to purchase SABS-approved products.
These are quality-assured and therefore meet safety requirements.
In the event that lights have been stored after use in the previous season, check for exposed wires and broken bits.
It might seem minor, but defective string lights are a fire hazard and can harm those installing them.
Poor quality wiring, exposed cables and overloading of plugs pose the biggest danger to children in the home.
If there are cables running on the ground, get a local qualified electrician who uses the correct tools to make sure that all electricity cords are secured against a wall or next to the wall where they will be safe.
Inspect the house and around the plugs after heavy rains, to make sure that the plugs are still dry and walls don’t have any water leakages.
Going away
Whether going to a holiday destination or visiting family, residents should take time to acquaint themselves with their surroundings.
Inspect and test plugs to ensure that they are fit to use.
Know where the main switchboard is to switch off the power if needed.
It is important to survey where children will be playing and understand where the dangers are as soon as possible.
“Practicing electricity safety goes two ways: it is knowing and getting the danger fixed where possible but also knowing how to respond when someone is shocked by electricity,” said Miranda Moahlodi the senior manager for occupational health and safety at Eskom.
“This must be taught to children as well. We often find that the natural response is to pull the person away but that may result in the person assisting also getting injured,” she said.
In the unfortunate event that someone does get in harmful contact with electricity, follow these steps:
• Switch the main power off
• Always use a dry, non-conductible item such as wood or plastic to move the live component away from the person in contact.
• Do not touch the person without the proper protection.
• Seek medical help as soon as possible.
• Keep emergency numbers saved on speed dial on your phone
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