Electricity is a basic commodity used by many for daily needs such as cooking, heating and home appliances.

It can also endanger lives and be destructive to property if not properly handled.

During winter when temperatures are low and electricity is predominantly used as a heating source, many fall victim to its dangers, mainly those who are exposed to 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.

Doing this poses great risks as it overloads the system, which often causes the connection to trip or fail and, in a worst case scenario, can cause fire.

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In some extreme cases with high voltage electricity, it can result in death.

Illegal connections are usually made by unqualified electricians, and connections don’t have the required electrical protections.

Wires run on makeshift poles while 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.

In some instances, substations are overloaded by illegal connections resulting in breakdowns, failing to supply the required energy as intended, and hence, loadshedding occurs.

The City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services` (DEMS) prerequisites are saving lives and properties.

“Several lives and properties have already been lost as a result of accidents and tampering with high voltage electricity,” said William Ntladi, DEMS district manager media liaison.

“Charred bodies have been recovered from different scenes after they were fatally electrocuted by high voltage electricity from pylons (averaged at 88Kv) and rail mass poles lines(averaged 3 000 Kv).”

According to Ntladi, the following can lead to electrocution:

• Downed high voltage power lines in an area where individuals try to take matters in their own hands.
• Unsafe and uncontrolled use of electrical power tools through unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.
• Defective electrical appliances repaired by an unqualified technician.
• Overloading of circuits and a non-functional circuit breaker, allowing the current to pass through.
• Unprotected switches in which children insert their fingers.
• Touching or stepping on cables left by those who steal electricity, especially in informal settlement dwellings.
• One of the most common ways is tampering with overhead high voltage power lines.
• When people try to connect electricity on their own, electrocution can occur. Sometimes, the culprit is a new unexperienced and unqualified person wanting to do the wiring on their own (DIY).

“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,” said Ntladi.

“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.

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“An additional risk is that illegally connected wires can also make contact to items such as roofs, gutters, and washing lines, making these items live and able to conduct electricity.”

Ntladi provided the following 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 that you purchase electrical products from reputable companies, distributers, and retailers.
• Be extremely cautious when pruning vegetation growing in between high-powered electrical lines. Isolate the power supply first before pruning.

Parents are advised to warn children about the dangers of playing near power lines.

“Children should avoid playing near power lines or substations,” said Ntladi.

“They should not fly kites near power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a power line, they should not retrieve it, as this could result in injury.

“Children should also never climb trees or other structures near power lines.”

In case of an emergency, call DEMS on 011 458 0911 (life threatening Ekurhuleni emergency line), 10177 (national toll-free number) or 112 (cellphone).

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