At Mackies we’ve been looking after customers for over 60 years and we always put safety first. Electricity is part of almost every room in the house and understanding how to minimise risks from all our favourite appliances can help to keep every member of the family safe, as well as reduce the risk of damage to your property. Here are our essential electrical safety tips for your home.
1. Smoke Alarms Save Lives
A working smoke alarm system is one of the most important ways to keep you and your family safe at home. We can advise on the latest legislation and guidelines in terms of where best to put your smoke alarms and offer testing and servicing to keep your current alarms in top working order.
2. Attend To Hazards Immediately
If you spot an electrical hazard, make sure you attend to it straight away. If you notice something isn’t working as it should, switch it off and unplug it if safe to do so. Make sure everyone in the household knows not to use it and get in touch with a licensed electrician to assess and repair the damage.
If the appliance is beyond repair, then dispose of it safely and buy a replacement.
3. Watch Out For Wiring
If you notice damage to wiring, stop using the appliance immediately. If safe to do so, remove the plug from the socket and see if the wiring can be repaired by a pro or if it needs to be disposed of.
If you can’t safely remove the appliance from the power source, then switch off the main supply before contacting an electrician. Exposed wires are very dangerous and must be handled with great care.
4. Ditch Damaged Appliances
If you have old appliances that you hope you might get around to repairing one day, then it might be time to consider disposing of them. As our homes have evolved, so have many electrical appliances, and older devices often aren’t compatible with modern safety standards. If you haven’t repaired that 15-year-old radio by now, it’s unlikely that you ever will. Take the item to your local recycling centre that handles e-waste and they’ll recycle as much of it as possible.
5. Give Electrics A Wide Berth When You're Dealing With Liquids
Liquids and electricity don’t mix, so make sure you:
- Only ever touch electrical appliances with dry hands
- Keep liquids away from appliances
- Unplug the kettle before you fill it
- Do not use electrical appliances in the bathroom
6. Track Down Tripping Hazards
Make sure that wires and cables are secure and won’t cause a tripping hazard. If your sockets are not where you need them, then get in touch with an electrician to talk about relocating them. Avoid tracing wires under carpets or rugs and never overload your electrical sockets.
7. Turn It Off If Not In Use
If you turn off sockets at the wall, you reduce the risk of an electrical fire starting overnight. Before bed, do a quick check and switch off all the sockets that aren’t being used and turn them off. Getting into this habit will also save you money by reducing the number of appliances left on standby.
8. Visual Checks
There are various visual checks you can do to keep on top of electrical safety issues.
- Check sockets for signs of damage
- Check cables and wires are in good condition
Get In Touch
Mackies have been taking care of customers across the Mid-North Coast and Great Lakes areas, including Taree & Port Macquarie, for over 60 years. We’re fully licensed, offer years of expertise and have a team of skilled professionals to help you keep on top of essential electrical safety. You can get in touch online or just give us a call at (02) 6552 2377.
