Keep electricity safety in mind this festive season – Eskom
'We would like to make sure that especially children are aware of the electricity hazards inside and outside homes' – Eskom.
After a rough year, the festive season offers a much-needed respite. While you and your family plan your festive decor and ways to enjoy the long summer days, it is important to keep electricity safety in mind – especially for the children at home, urged Eskom.
“We often see children running around and playing inside and outside the home, and we would like to make sure that especially children are aware of the electricity hazards inside and outside homes,” said Miranda Moahlodi, Senior Manager for Occupational Health and Safety at Eskom.
Staying at home:
If you 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.
If you have stored your lights 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 overloaded plugs pose the biggest danger to children in the home. If there are cables across the floor, get a qualified electrician who uses the correct tools to make sure that all your 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, just to make sure that the plugs are still dry and the walls don’t have any water leakages. Remember that water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
Going away:
Whether you’re going to a holiday destination or visiting family, take time to acquaint yourself with your surroundings. Inspect and test plugs to ensure that they are fit for use. Know where the main switch board is to switch off the power if needed.
It is important to survey where your 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. 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,” Miranda said.
In the unfortunate event that someone does get in harmful contact with electricity, follow these steps:
• Switch off the main power.
• Always use a dry, non-conductible item such as wood or plastic to move the live component away from the person in contact. Under no circumstance should you touch the person without being protected yourself.
• Always seek medical help as soon as possible.
• Keep emergency numbers on speed dial on your phone.
Please keep safe around electricity and on the roads this festive season. Eskom cares about your safety,” Miranda concluded.
