Misuse of electricity can be hazardous, the dangers can be minimised as follows:
- Switch off and unplug appliances when not in use
- Ensure that all plugs are wired properly with the correct fuse and see that the entire flex core, not just the wires are gripped by the clamp in your plug
- Do not use an appliance with a damaged flex, check the flex regularly. Do not run flexes under carpets or rugs.
- Never take appliances such as electric fires or hairdryers into the bathroom. Water and electricity do not mix.
- Only have your appliances repaired by qualified electricians
- Never interfere with the electricity meter, its wiring or the electricity company’s sealed fuses, it is illegal and dangerous
- Always have a battery torch handy in the event of mains failure
- Faulty appliances such as kettles, irons, electric fires, table lamps cause most electrical faults. Mains fuses or circuit breakers located beside your electronic equipment chargers, electricity meter protect you by switching off circuits when a faulty appliance is switched on.
- If a mains fuse ‘trips’ when you turn an appliance on, unplug the appliance and replace the fuse. Always replace the fuse with one of the same rating, i.e. a 5 Amp with a 5 Amp or a 30 Amp with a 30 Amp. The rating is printed on the fuse, do not fit a fuse with a lower rating. Do not use the appliance again until you have had it repaired by a qualified electrician.
- Your home may have circuit breakers fitted instead of fuses. Circuit breakers isolate power to electrical circuits when a fault occurs. If a circuit breaker trips, switch off all your appliances and lights, reset the circuit breaker to the ‘ON’ position and switch on your lights and appliances one at a time. If there is a fault, the light or appliance will trip the circuit breaker again. If an appliance is at fault, unplug it and have it repaired by a qualified electrician. If your lights are faulty report it to Apex for repairs.
- If a circuit breaker will not reset when everything is switched off, report it to Apex for repair