Electricity is a basic commodity used by many for daily needs, including cooking, heating and home appliances.
However, it can also be destructive to property or even dangerous to lives if not properly handled.
William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has issued the following tips to avoid being electrocuted by illegal connections.
An electrical connection is considered illegal when it is made from the source network without relevant permission, and safety procedures are seldom followed in these incidents.
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Doing this poses great risk as it overloads the system, which often causes the power connection to trip or fail and at worst case scenario, it can cause a fire. In some extreme cases with high-voltage electricity, it can result in death.
Illegal connections are usually made by unqualified electricians, which don’t have the required electrical protections.
Wiring is run on makeshift poles and some lie exposed, endangering unsuspecting children who become victims.
“These type of connections are commonly referred to as izinyokanyoka, due to the underhand manner in which the connections are made and the indiscriminate patterns they follow,” says Ntladi.
According to Ntladi, DEMS prerequisites include saving lives and property.
“Several lives and property have been lost already as a result of accidents and tampering with high-voltage electricity.
“Charred bodies have been recovered from different scenes after they were fatally electrocuted by high-voltage electricity.”
Causes of electrocution accidents:
• Downed high-voltage power lines and individuals trying to take matters in their own hands.
• Unsafe and uncontrolled usage of electrically powered tools through unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.
• Defective electrical appliances repaired by unqualified technician.
• Overloading of circuits and non-functional circuit breakers, allowing the current to pass through.
• Unprotected switches into which children stick their fingers.
• Unwittingly touching or stepping on carelessly laid (and unsafe) cables left by those who steal electricity, especially in informal settlements.
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“One of the most common ways is through tampering with overhead high-voltage power lines.
“When people try to connect electricity on their own, electrocution can occur.
“Illegal connections are not safe as they are usually done by unqualified people who don’t only risk electrocuting themselves but also expose other people to danger and the risk of injury and death if they make contact with the connection.
“Not only is this dangerous for the individual making the connection, but it also puts the rest of the community at risk because these connections lie across pathways and walkways where anyone passing by can easily be electrocuted.
“An additional risk is that illegally connected wires can also make contact with roofs, gutters and washing lines, making these items live and able to conduct electricity,” Ntladi says.
Safety tips:
• Do not pull out plugs by the cord. This damages the cable and can lead to electrical wires being exposed. ? Do not put bare electrical wires into sockets.
• Do not touch any electrical appliances with wet hands.
• Never use electricity in the bathroom; water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
• Do not pass electric cords from one room to another through hinges of doors or windows where they can be squashed or damaged.
• Do not overload plug points.
• Never leave electrical appliances unattended while in use.
• Switch off heaters, stoves and kettles when no longer in use.
• Ensure you purchase electrical products from reputable companies, distributors and retailers.
• Be cautious when pruning vegetation growing in between high-powered electrical lines. Isolate the power supply first before pruning.
Play safely- If your children like to play outside, warn them about the following:
• Avoid playing near power lines or substations.
• Do not fly kites near power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a power line, do not try to retrieve it.
• Never climb trees or other structures near power lines.
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