At Sparks Fly Electrical (Canberra) safety is our number one priority. Working with electricity on many different sites means safety is an important aspect of our work and will never be over looked. Below are a few rules and guidelines to consider before attempting to alter, repair or install any electrical appliance.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO CARRY OUT YOUR OWN ELECTRICAL REPAIRS. CONTACT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN ON:
0422 574 463
NEVER ATTEMPT TO CARRY OUT YOUR OWN ELECTRICAL REPAIRS. CONTACT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN ON:
0422 574 463
Safety
Electrical safety around the home
When it comes to your family's safety, electrical awareness starts around the home. Here at Sparks Fly Electrical, we respect the importance of electrical safety and know that with the right education, anyone can understand the basics.
When it comes to your family's safety, electrical awareness starts around the home. Here at Sparks Fly Electrical, we respect the importance of electrical safety and know that with the right education, anyone can understand the basics.
This webpage is designed to assist you with electrical safety and is to be used as a guide only. For further information on safety with electricity, consult a health & safety professional or a licensed electrician.
What is electricity?
Electricity is the the presence and flow of electric charge. Electricity is used for many things including lightning, static electricity, electromagnetic induction and the flow of electrical current
Why is electricity dangerous?
Electricity is dangerous because it is highly conductive and will shoot an electric charge through your body that may potentially fry your vital
organs. Electricity also leaves burns where it enters and exits the body
Electricity and Water
Electricity and water don't mix as water is a major conductor of electricity. It is important that you are always aware when using electricity around water and to follow these safety tips and guidelines
Try not to use power points around very young children, they get curious
After using electrical appliances, it is good practice to get in the habit of turning the appliance off and isolating it from its power supply
Be extremely careful when using electrical appliances around water whether near a sink, bath or swimming pool
If an electrical appliance has been immersed in water it must be discarded immediately
Don’t use portable heaters in bathroom areas. Instead, you should have either a strip heater installed high on the wall or a ceiling fan/heat unit
installed by a licensed electrical contractor
Don’t use extension leads or power leads in wet areas unless specifically designed to do so
Never touch anything electrical with wet hands or bare feet
General appliances
Remove electrical appliances with damaged/frayed cords or cracked or broken plugs
Turn off power points before plugging/unplugging appliances
Turn off all appliances such as heaters, ovens and stove tops when leaving your home
Maintain exhaust fans in a clean condition, free of lint
Ensure adequate space around appliances to prevent overheating
Remove all combustible material from stoves, heaters and lamps
Extension cords should not be used in wet areas – unless specially designed to do so
Licensed electricians should undertake all your electrical work and repairs
Kitchen appliances
Regularly clean range hood filters
Clean ovens and hot plates regularly to prevent the build-up of spilled fats and burnt foods
Install a ventilation system, flue or exhaust fan in the kitchen to remove fumes while cooking
Switch off and unplug your toaster before trying to remove toast, muffins or crumpets that are caught in the toaster
Remove bread crumbs from the toaster regularly as a build up can be hazardous
Never leave cooking unattended
If you must leave the room take something with you as a reminder that you are cooking (eg. a wooden spoon)
Extension leads and cords
Extension cords with damaged plugs or cords should be discarded
Position extension cords along walls and around furniture
Extension cords should have 3 pins (plugs with 2 pins are not earthed and should be used only with double insulated electrical equipment)
Cords should not be draped over benches where they can be caught or grabbed
Power lines and over head cabling
Ladders, boat masts and poles should be kept well clear of overhead power lines
Monitor weather conditions
Power lines can sag in extreme heat and sway in strong winds
Power lines are difficult to see at dawn and dusk
Plant low growing plants near power lines
Become aware of underground cables and pipes, Contact 'Dial before you Dig' on 1100
Switchboard and fuses
Be familiar with where your switchboard is located
Have proper safety switches to protect your family
Keep access to your switchboard free of obstructions
Label switches, circuit breakers or fuses
Repairs or installation work must be undertaken by a licensed electrical contractor
Electricity is the the presence and flow of electric charge. Electricity is used for many things including lightning, static electricity, electromagnetic induction and the flow of electrical current
Why is electricity dangerous?
Electricity is dangerous because it is highly conductive and will shoot an electric charge through your body that may potentially fry your vital
organs. Electricity also leaves burns where it enters and exits the body
Electricity and Water
Electricity and water don't mix as water is a major conductor of electricity. It is important that you are always aware when using electricity around water and to follow these safety tips and guidelines
Try not to use power points around very young children, they get curious
After using electrical appliances, it is good practice to get in the habit of turning the appliance off and isolating it from its power supply
Be extremely careful when using electrical appliances around water whether near a sink, bath or swimming pool
If an electrical appliance has been immersed in water it must be discarded immediately
Don’t use portable heaters in bathroom areas. Instead, you should have either a strip heater installed high on the wall or a ceiling fan/heat unit
installed by a licensed electrical contractor
Don’t use extension leads or power leads in wet areas unless specifically designed to do so
Never touch anything electrical with wet hands or bare feet
General appliances
Remove electrical appliances with damaged/frayed cords or cracked or broken plugs
Turn off power points before plugging/unplugging appliances
Turn off all appliances such as heaters, ovens and stove tops when leaving your home
Maintain exhaust fans in a clean condition, free of lint
Ensure adequate space around appliances to prevent overheating
Remove all combustible material from stoves, heaters and lamps
Extension cords should not be used in wet areas – unless specially designed to do so
Licensed electricians should undertake all your electrical work and repairs
Kitchen appliances
Regularly clean range hood filters
Clean ovens and hot plates regularly to prevent the build-up of spilled fats and burnt foods
Install a ventilation system, flue or exhaust fan in the kitchen to remove fumes while cooking
Switch off and unplug your toaster before trying to remove toast, muffins or crumpets that are caught in the toaster
Remove bread crumbs from the toaster regularly as a build up can be hazardous
Never leave cooking unattended
If you must leave the room take something with you as a reminder that you are cooking (eg. a wooden spoon)
Extension leads and cords
Extension cords with damaged plugs or cords should be discarded
Position extension cords along walls and around furniture
Extension cords should have 3 pins (plugs with 2 pins are not earthed and should be used only with double insulated electrical equipment)
Cords should not be draped over benches where they can be caught or grabbed
Power lines and over head cabling
Ladders, boat masts and poles should be kept well clear of overhead power lines
Monitor weather conditions
Power lines can sag in extreme heat and sway in strong winds
Power lines are difficult to see at dawn and dusk
Plant low growing plants near power lines
Become aware of underground cables and pipes, Contact 'Dial before you Dig' on 1100
Switchboard and fuses
Be familiar with where your switchboard is located
Have proper safety switches to protect your family
Keep access to your switchboard free of obstructions
Label switches, circuit breakers or fuses
Repairs or installation work must be undertaken by a licensed electrical contractor
Sparks Fly Electrical. ACT's #1 Electrical Service.
Ph: 0422 574 463
©2013 - SPARKS FLY. All rights reserved.
PO Box 801, Bunda Street, Civic Square, 2608 and Higgins, Belconnen, 2615
©2013 - SPARKS FLY. All rights reserved.
PO Box 801, Bunda Street, Civic Square, 2608 and Higgins, Belconnen, 2615
