General Safety Tips
Safety tips When Using Extension-cords
• Everybody in the house should know where the (Main switch) Distribution Board is and know how / where to switch on or off the electricity.
• Distribution Board should not be in a hidden place and should be easily accessible.
• Should you see a spark or smoke when using electricity appliance, this shows that there is something wrong and you must switch off the electricity and unplug the appliance immediately. Then call an electrician for inspection.
• Do not work on electrical appliances unless you know exactly what you are doing or else call an electrician.
• Do not use a fork, a knife or anything metal to remove toasted bread from the toaster when it is plugged in.
• For proper usage of electrical appliances, it is wise to follow manual instructions obtained when purchasing the appliances.
• Having extended your electrified house, do not supply your new extra rooms with electricity. Apply for proper inspection and testing of the wiring from LEC first.
• In any case where there are more than one houses in the same yard, do not supply the other houses with extension-cords from the electrified house. Seek advice from LEC.
• In the event of an electrical shock, do not touch the victim with bear hands, rather pull the victim with its loose dry clothes or use a dry wooden stick.
• Switch off the electricity at the mains before taking any step in attempting to help the victim.
• Get an electrical accident victim rushed to a hospital or doctor as soon as possible even if he/she feels okay.
• Do not run electrical cords under carpets and rugs.
• Do not join cords with tapes.
• Avoid running electrical cords near hot surfaces like near heaters or under two burner stoves.
• To run electrical wires from one room to the other, engage an electrician for a good and safe wiring.
• Seek advice from an electrician for the right size and type of wires/cords needed for the extension.
• Worn out or frayed electric cords can cause accidents. It is wise and safe to use electric cords that are in a good condition.
• Ready-board wiring is only meant for small houses (1-2 rooms) and to supply rooms other than the one that ready board is mounted; one has to engage a qualified electrician for a safe wiring. Do not run loose extension cords on the floor or carelessly hang them on the walls. Remember; prevention is better than cure!
Children’s Safety When Using Electrical Appliances
- Children are energetic and naturally interested in cords and plugs. An extra care has to be taken mainly when babies start to crawl or walk that they do not harm themselves. Take heed of the following:
• Make sure that the cord of your iron and kettle are not left hanging where a child can pull them, thereby causing a hot iron or kettle to fall down and burn the child.
• If you have turned on a bar heater, watch your children not to stick fingers, sticks, wires, forks, or spoons through the gill and touch the hot bars of the heater.
• Oil heaters are always safe and user friendly.
• Always keep your unused socket-outlets covered with safety caps. This will prevent the children from sticking objects in the socket.
• Do not let your children play with electrical cords, they can chew on a live wire and get electrocuted.
Safety Tips When Using Socket-outlets
• Avoid overloading your socket-outlet/plug, because it can cause fire. A multi-plug adaptor will allow you to use as many as appliances and keep them in a safe place.
• First, switch off the power before you unplug the appliance.
• Pulling a plug out by the cord can expose bare wires. Pull it out by gripping the plug itself.
• Do not use any kind of spray on electrical sockets/plugs. Remember most of them are not only wet but are flammable as well.
• It is wise to use surge plugs to protect your appliances from any unintended over current caused by lightening or any fault that may occur.
Safety Tips on Electricity Use Around A Wet Area
• Never ever use water to put an electrical fire if the main switch is not switched off. Use a dry chemical fire extinguisher.
• Do not use electrical appliances in the bathroom.
• Never touch an electrical appliance with wet hands.
• Do not use wet cloths to wipe off dust or dirt from switches or plugs. Switch off the power first and then clean. Give enough time to dry before switching them on again.
• Never fill a kettle when it is still plugged in.
Safety outside the Home
• Plugging or supplying your house with electricity from a neighbor’s power supply or connecting to some outside source is dangerous and illegal. You can be charged and penalized severely. Follow proper connection procedures prescribed by LEC.
• When dealing with electrically operated machinery, ensure the supply and wires are of the right size and in good condition for use. Never use them in damp or wet areas.
• Never mow wet grass with electric lawnmower.
• Avoid turning the electrical poles, transformers or any other electrical equipment into a place to relieve oneself during a nature’s call; It is too dangerous. One can be permanently injured or can even pay with his life.
• Do not touch any fallen electrical power lines. All power lines are very dangerous. Under no circumstances should you ever go near them. Call LEC Call Center on 52 100 000.
• Do not enter electrical sub-stations; the voltage is extremely high and very dangerous.
• Never climb onto electric pylons.
• Do not throw stones at insulators.
• Do not build houses under or too near to where power lines are. It is wise to leave enough clearance. Seek advice from LEC.
• Do not make fire underneath power lines.
• Do not cut trees where power lines pass through. Consult with LEC first.
• Never remove any danger/warning signs put by LEC workers.