Kidsafe WA’s ongoing collaboration with Horizon Power continues to educate families on the importance of electrical safety within the home.
Electricity is a fundamental part of many households, but are you and your family aware of the potential risks? In Australia on average, three children
under the age of 14 die as a result of an electrical injury each year and over 75 percent of children who present to hospital with an electrical injury
have acquired their injury within the home.
The most common causes of electrical injury around the home include damaged or worn electrical cords, insertion of objects into power points, faulty appliances and contact between electrical appliances and water.
Kidsafe WA with the support of Horizon Power recently visited the Midwest region to provide workshops to children and families to promote child safety. These workshops included tips on how to reduce the risk of electrical injuries within the home.
Keep your family safe around the home with these top ten electrical safety tips:
1. Turn off appliances at the power point when not in use.
2. Ensure to only use ONE double adapter per power point to prevent over loading.
3. Regularly check appliances for signs of damage or wear, and stop using them if faulty.
4. Never insert metal objects into power points.
5. Use safety covers to prevent and discourage children from inserting objects into power points.
6. Do not leave electrical appliances switched on and unattended around children.
7. Ensure that all electrical devices are kept away from water.
8. Try not to stretch or damage power cords. Remove appliances from power points by the plug and avoid pulling the cord.
9. Install a residual current device (RCD). Installing a RCD will automatically shut off power to your home in the event of an electrical fault in order to prevent electrocution.
10. Always use a licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home to ensure that you and your family are not harmed.
For more information on how to keep your children safe around electricity visit https://horizonpower.com.au/our-community/stay-safe-around-electricity/ OR www.kidsafewa.com.au/fact-sheets-at-home to see Kidsafe WA’s Electrical Safety Fact
Sheet.
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