1

Electrical Safety at Home2017

3

Table of Content

P

Introduction

General Instructions

Complete Precautionary Measures

Safety Anywhere, Everywhere

In the Kitchen

In Bathrooms

In the Living Room

In the Garden and Street

Dealing with Electrical Injuries

What to Double Check

7

9

11

13

15

19

21

23

25

27

Better Safe Than Sorry

7

Today, every house is filled with various electrical appliances. They have become an essential part of our lives: the refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, heater, electrical extensions, bulbs, lighting, and water heaters among others. However, we tend to underestimate the importance of carefully dealing with electricity. A tiny electrical problem can be more dangerous than we think, and may lead to a hazard. So, how can we ensure our safety while living amongst numerous electrical appliances?

In line with our social responsibility as an electricity company, we are keen on spreading awareness among citizens and providing important tips and instructions about electrical safety, helping keep the community as safe as possible.

The simple answer is:

Awareness Caution Avoiding Negligence

Introduction

9

Electrical malfunctions do not usually cause fire outbreaks. It is usually the fault of the owner or resident, and this is why precautionary measures are essential.

Most electrical accidents causing injuries and hospital admission result from tampering with electrical sockets, attempting to fix electrical appliances, or replacing bulbs.

General Instructions

In general, 89% of all fires are caused by

electricity

11

Complete Precautionary Measures

Make sure you have afire extinguisher

Unplug electrical appliances while not in use to prevent fire

outbreaks during sleep

Disconnect the main circuit in case you smell

fire or smoke

Ensure that all cords andoutlets are safe to use

Read the capacity of outlets and adapters and make sure they are not

overloaded

Precautionary Measures

Never place electric heaters near curtains or furniture, and do not lay

clothes on them

Install smoke and heat detectors

Immediately call civil defense in case of a fire

outbreak

13

Safety Anywhere, Everywhere

Safety precautions differ from one room to another, such as the living room and the kitchen. Following are some of the key electrical safety tips and instructions for main rooms.Let’s help keep our homes and families safe.

15

In the Kitchen

A kitchen usually has the largest number of electrical appliances and is one of the most dangerous places at home. It usually has a refrigerator, an exhaust fan, a dishwasher, a toaster, and an electric kettle among others. The following tips will help keep your kitchen safe.

Plug appliances directly into sockets, without any

extensions

Ensure the exhaust fans are always clean for adequate

ventilation and air circulation

Remove all burnt food or oil residuals inside ovens to

keep them clean

17

Remember that oil and fat residuals are primary causes of fire

Throw away kitchen trash daily to keep the air

clean and fresh

Ensure the presence of a fire extinguisher

in the kitchen

Make sure the heater always has water and set the temperature at 60 degrees Celsius

Never leave the electric stove unattended while cooking and disconnect immediately when

not in use

Water and electricity do not get along! Make sure there’s no water near the

electrical source

To keep the refrigerator

working properly, disconnect it to

clean it once a year

Install a smoke detector in the kitchen

Never coil the cables around the

appliance when you stop using it. The device could still be hot and could

damage the cables

Unplug electrical appliances that are not in use and ensure

that cords are safe to use

Safety Tipsfor

Kitchen

19

In the Bathrooms

Many electrical accidents usually happen in bathrooms. To guarantee safety:

The bathroom is usually a humid area

and has a lot of water, so be careful with sockets and plugsNever use

exposed electrical cords

Never touch an electrical device if you’re barefoot or

if your hands are damp

Unplug devices that are not in use, such

as hairdryers, shavers, water heater, etc…

Do not use electric devices, such as

hairdryers, radios, or shavers, near

bathtubs

Keep a safe distance between plugs,

cables, or additional extensions

Do not use electrical appliances if they

are wet

It’s preferable to have the heater installed

outside the bathroom

Safety Tipsfor

Bathrooms

21

In the Living Room

It’s the place where we spend most of our time interacting or watching, and this is why we have to be even more careful with electricity.

Do not extend cords or cables under

carpets

Do not overload electrical outlets or

adapters

Spraying detergents or insect sprays directly on electrical appliances may

cause fire

Use extension leads that are original and with the right

capacity

Unplug devices when they’re not in use

Inspect plugs and cables from time to time to ensure

they’re still safe to use

Do not place flammable material near outlets or

sockets

Do not drill into your wall if you think there may be internal electrical

connections

Hire electricians to fix any electrical malfunctions or

install connections

Unplug appliances before changing their

location

Safety Tipsfor

Living Rooms

23

In the Garden and Street

Electricity is all around us, and we have to learn how to use it safely. Please follow the general tips below to avoid electrical hazards and dangers.

Immediately report any electrical problem (a

broken pole, exposed or misplaced cables)

Prevent others from approaching

dangerous areas until specialists arrive

When trimming trees, wear a special gardening outfit and

shoes that are closed from the front

Make sure your children do not approach

electrical devices when they play outside

Do not approach exposed cables

Stay away from electricity poles,

stations, or boxes

Electrical equipment may get damp due

to rain, so do not use until they’re dry

Use covered and insulated cords and

cables in case of outside extensions

Stay inside during thunderstorms, but in case you’re outside and far from your house, squat with only

your shoes touching the ground since they act as

insulators

Safety Tips for the Garden

and Street

25

Dealing with Electrical Injuries

If a family member gets an electric shock, God forbid, perform the following procedure very carefully:

The person experiencing an

electric shock should not touch wood

without insulation

Do not touch a person experiencing an electric

shock without being insulated

Monitor the patient’s condition,

since effects of electric shocks may take time to appear

Perform a first-aid procedure if you

know how

Call for an ambulance

immediately

How to Handle Electrical

Injuries

27

What to Double Check

Always inspect cables, cords, and all electrical

connections

Ensure that plugs are safe to use and watch out for signs

of heat in the outlet

Learn about your home’s electrical panel, room

distribution of electricity, main circuit breakers and their

locations

Ensure that cables of high-voltage devices are safe

to use and not worn out

Choose high-quality appliances that include a production date and a

guarantee

To Ensure Electrical Safety

at Home

Better Safe Than Sorry

Notes & Comments Notes & Comments

Follow us on: