It is an open-fact that electricity has many potential hazards to us (as it can cause burns, shocks and electrocution if used wrongly). As part of our effort to ensure health and safety practices in our community we are kindly requesting our customers and other community members to be extra careful and conscious of safety aspects regarding electrical equipments, installations and network within and outside their premises. Below are some tips for your safety :
Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.
Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call the electric utility company to report fallen electrical lines.
Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the
area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires.
If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine
stalls, do not leave your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone to call the local electric utility company and emergency services.
Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water.
Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized.
Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it.
If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground-fault
circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Always use caution when working near electricity.
Self-Care / First Aid
Beware! Do not put yourself in danger to give first aid. Do not touch the person until power is shut off.
If the source is a high-voltage wire or lightning, call 9-1-1 or KEDCO HSE on 07068087019!
It is safe to touch a person struck by lightning.
If the source is a low-voltage current, remove the fuse or switch off the circuit breaker to the electrical outlet.
If you can't shut off the source, with dry feet and hands, use a board, wooden stick, rope, etc. to get the person away from the source.
If it is safe for you to touch the person, check for a response, First Aid Precautions, Give CPR, as needed.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, don't move the person. He or she could have a traumatic injury, especially to the head or neck
Check for burns. Cover burned areas with dry, sterile dressings.
Give first aid for Shock, if needed.
Prevention
Stay clear of fallen wires. Inform the police, electric company KEDCO on 07068087019, etc.
Install ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCIs) in wall outlets of bathrooms, kitchens, etc. With GFCIs, when an electrical appliance falls into
water, the current is instantly cut off.
Don't turn electrical switches ON/OFF or touch an electric appliance while your hands are wet, while standing in water, or when sitting in a
bathtub.
Replace worn cords and wiring.
Heed warnings to avoid electrical hazards.
Cover all electric sockets with plastic safety caps.
Before you do electrical repairs, remove the fuse from the fuse box or switch off the circuit breaker. Don't just turn off the appliance or light
switch.
Electrical fires and accidents are most often attributed to problems with electric cords and plugs, lamps and light fixtures, and switches and outlets. Help protect yourself and your family from electricity-related injuries.
Check your home electrical system for problems.
Avoid adding extra plugs in attachments which could overload outlets or extension cords.
Examine electrical cords to make sure they aren't frayed, damaged or placed under rugs or carpets.
Use recommended wattage light bulbs in light fixtures and lamps.
Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) in areas that are exposed to water.
One of the most important precautions you can take is to regularly test your smoke detectors and to replace smoke detector batteries annually.
Always follow appropriate safety precautions and manufacturer's instructions.
Never use electrical tools on damp ground or around water
Never place an antenna near power lines
Keep a safe distance from pad mounted transformers
Never insert anything (especially metal) into an electrical appliance (such as a toaster)
Wear rubber gloves and rubber boots when working near electrical components.
Inspect tools and appliances for wear and damage prior to use
Use electrical tape for power cord management, do not use staples
Always use the correct size fuse, never use a fuse with a larger amperage allowance than the original
When working near power lines, use ladders made of wood instead of metal
If you have a bad feeling about some work concerning electricity, stay away!
Know where breakers and electrical boxes are in case of an emergency
Label circuit breakers clearly
Do not use electrical outlets or cords with exposed wiring
Do not touch a person or electrical apparatus in the event of an electrical accident. Always disconnect the current first.
Do not clean tools with flammable or toxic solvents.
You don’t have to contact a powerline directly for it to seriously injure or kill you. Electricity can jump or “arc” through the air to an object you’re touching or holding and cause a severe shock. Follow these safety tips, stay well away from powerlines and respect the power.
Look up, look out and locate powerlines when cleaning eavestroughs and windows, working on the roof, painting the house
or pruning trees.
Carry ladders horizontally, never vertically, and check for overhead powerlines before putting them up.
Call or click before you dig! Contact your local electric utility to mark underground powerlines and other utility equipment before you start deck
or fence-building or other landscaping projects.
Plant trees away from overhead powerlines so they don’t grow up into the powerlines. If your trees have grown into the powerlines, contact your
local utility. Do not trim trees around powerlines yourself.
Downed powerlines – If you see a downed powerline stay back 10 metres or 33 feet (the length of a school bus) and call 9-1-1 and the local electric
utility (07068087019) immediately.
Flying Kites - Always choose wide-open spaces where you can’t see any powerlines and never attempt to retrieve a kite that is tangled in a
powerline.
Find a safe place to play -Don’t play near the green boxes on lawns or in parks. Never climb utility poles.
Transformer stations – Never climb fences to get into a transformer station. If your toy ends up inside a transformer station, call the local
electric utility to get it for you.
Tree climbing – Never climb trees near powerlines. Look carefully for hidden powerlines covered by branches and leaves.
Downed powerlines – If you see a downed powerline stay back 10 metres or 33 feet (the length of a school bus) and call 9-1-1 immediately or The HSE
team on 07068087019