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The,
golden rule with electricity is, if you don't know how, don't do
it. Do-it-yourself electrical repairs cause many accidents. Leave
all electrical work, even apparently simple jobs, to qualified professionals.
Apart
from anything else, it is illegal for an unlicensed person to carry
out electrical wiring work in the home or to contract to carry out
such work unless he is licensed as an electrical contractor. The
law also requires that the appropriate electricity county council
on completion inspect all work. When having any electrical wiring
work done on your home, ask the electrical contractor to show you
his license and do not finalize payment until the council has inspected
the work.
Three
pin plugs.
Many
accidents are caused by wrong connection of the earthing core. At
3-pin plug and cord extension sockets, the green or green/yellow
earthing core must be connected to the earth terminal marked E,
Earth or with the earthing symbol. No other conductor may be connected
to this terminal. Old type plugs have caused many accidents because
they lack core and sheath anchoring and do not have insulating barriers
between terminals. Replace with safe modern plugs.
Extension
cords.
About
a third of all electrical fatalities in N.S.K are associated with
faulty flexible cords and two thirds of these are extension cords.
Cheek them regularly for visible defects and have them checked professionally
for faults you cannot see such as broken wires or wires adrift from
terminals, incorrect connections and damaged fittings.
Appliances.
Frayed
or kinked cords, makeshift joints and chipped or broken fittings
are dangerous. As soon as you notice any defects, have the fittings
replaced. Treat a "tingle" as a warning shock that something
is wrong with the appliance. Have it professionally checked. Old
type plugs have caused many electrical accidents. If you have old
type in your home have them replaced with safe modern plug.
Modern plugs have insulating barriers between the wires inside and
also means for clamping the sheathing of the flexible cord and for
reliving strain on cores at the terminals.
Never let your flex (cord) on any of your appliances become dangerous.
Have an expert replace it immediately.
Outdoors.
Avoid
using power tools, lawnmowers etc., outdoors with bare feet, little
clothing or wet skin. These lower body resistance and can make a
shock much worse if an accident occurs. Wear protective clothing
and ensure flexible cords, if used, are in good condition. If using
a metal ladder in connection with power tools, changing a light
globe etc., take even more care as you are earthed when, in metallic
contact with the ground or a wall. Keep ladders and long tools well
clear of any overhead wires.
Children.
Children
take electricity for granted. They must be taught the necessary
precautions to keep them safe. Teach them to keep clear of any fallen
overhead wires and to inform a policeman, teacher or parent. Warn
them that both ends of a broken wire may be -alive- and dangerous.
Ensure they do not climb on roofs or trees near overhead wires as
touching them can mean death.
Small
appliances.
When
all the safety precautions are understood and legal requirements
observed, electrical appliances could be enjoyed with safety. One
of the most common appliance failures is the element on an electric
jug. This is one of the few repairs you can do yourself The element
usually burns out when you turn the jug on without water, or let
it boil dry. Now there are elements you can buy which do not burn
out if they boil dry. To replace the element, obtain the right size
and shape element for your jug. Ensure the appliance is switched
off and the plug pulled out from the wall, and then unscrew the
two nuts holding the old element in place. Fit the new element over
the two terminals and replace the nuts, tightening them securely
with pliers. The element must not be touching the jug sides or bottom.
Electric
blanket.
During
summer, roll or store electric blankets and have them serviced by
the manufacturer. Ensure that the maker's instructions are followed
when cleaning the blanket.
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