Safety While Working Around The Home

Electricity is all around us, in our homes and backyards. Life would be far less exciting without electricity. But with it comes potential hazards and we want to ensure you know what to look out for and how to deal with a hazard.

You should always assume an electrical wire is live until you have checked it is switched off and unplugged. Live wires can cause an electric shock and severe injury, or even death, if not managed carefully.

When working around your home;

Be careful never to let electrical appliances near water
Never use electrical cords that have loose wires or worn, cracked or bent plugs
Don’t overload multi-boxes or put more than two plugs into a single plug point
Completely unroll your extension flexes to prevent them from catching fire
Turn off the light switch before you change the light bulb
If taking electricity outside through an extension cord, ensure you have a RCD (residual current device) plugged into the power point

When working outside;

Always assume all wires are electricity wires and that they are live.
Temporarily disconnect before starting on your outdoor jobs near electricity lines. If you need power to carry out your work, arrange an alternative supply.
Keep an eye on any trees that grow near wires. Click on Trees and Wires to find out what to do.
Check before you dig, there may be buried cables.
Look up and around you before you move your ladder or other long objects that could come in contact with overhead wires.
If you get something tangled or caught up in an electric wire, do not clear it yourself. Phone MainPower on (03) 311 8300 for assistance

Contact MainPower (03) 311 8300

For assistance in locating burried cables. Please provide 2 days notice before you begin digging. A cost for this service applies
If you get something tangled or caught up in an electric wire.
To arrange an alternative supply

Remember – in an electrical fire NEVER use water to put the fire out. Use a multipurpose fire extinguisher.

In order to keep your family and home safe, carry out an electricity safety audit in your home. Visit Keep My Home Safe to start the process and audit your home every six months.

Location http://www.mainpower.co.nz/index.cfm/1,395,0,42,html