What to do in an electrical emergency

There are a number of situations arising from the use of electricity in our everyday lives which could be classified as emergencies.

In emergency situations affecting lives, you must call 000. In the case of minor emergencies, you should contact your registered electrical contractor to arrange for a licensed electrician to visit. Check their licence and insist on a certificate of electrical safety when the job is completed.

In instances where powerlines fall to the ground, you must call the local electricity distribution company – and in some cases the police through the 000 number.

It is important that we all know what to do in the event of an emergency situation such as a power failure, an electric shock, a fire or in situations where trees have brought down powerlines.

Power Failures

Power failures or blackouts can be caused by a number of reasons. Storms are the most common reason where strong winds can cause trees to fall across powerlines interrupting the supply of power, or where vehicles collide with power poles.

In the event of a power failure:

Turn off all heating and cooling appliances (ie. stove, hot plate, iron, heaters, air conditioners, etc.)
Turn off and unplug your television, video, computer and other electronic equipment
Keep a torch and battery operated radio handy for emergency situations
Do not use candles as they could be knocked over and start a fire

Electric Shocks

Often electric shocks do not immediately kill the person affected. They may stop the heart, cause burns, force muscles to contract and paralyse breathing. Often shock victims cannot let go of the appliance that is passing the current to the body.

If you witness an electric shock, act as follows:

If possible, and if there is no danger of you also being electrocuted, switch off the power and pull out the plug
If you cannot turn the current off, use heavy duty insulating gloves or something made of rubber, dry cloth or cured dry wood to free the shock victim (do not use wet or recently sawn wood as this can contain sap that will conduct electricity). It may be safe to use their clothing but only if it is dry
Protect yourself and any bystanders from the possibility of further shocks
Do not touch the shock victims skin until the current is turned off
Seek immediate medical assistance for the victim
If you are trained in resuscitation techniques, you should attempt to resuscitate the victim as soon as they are no longer in contact with the electrical current
Never attempt to rescue a person where a high voltage electrical current is involved

Install a safety switch

Fatalities and serious injuries resulting from electric shocks can often be avoided if safety switches are installed in homes and properties.

It is easy to forget that our everyday appliances can cause us harm. Faulty wiring, faulty appliances or accidents with electricity can be fatal.

When you get an electric shock, electricity usually flows through your body to earth. It can flow through your heart, interfering with the electric impulses which keep it beating, causing the heart to stop.

But how can you monitor an electrical current you cannot see, or watch every member of your family with every appliance in the house?

A safety switch monitors the flow of electricity through a circuit. It detects a problem as soon as the current leaves the circuit, and turns the power off within 0.03 of a second.

That’s quick enough to help save your life, and help prevent costly fires or damage to your property.

Arrange for an ESV electrical Home Safety Inspection

If your home is more than 25 years old and you have any concerns about the condition of the electrical wiring, you should arrange for an ESV electrical Home Safety Inspection.

Under the scheme, an electrical expert using the latest technology will conduct a thorough assessment of the condition of the electrical installation in your home, and provide a report listing any defects which need attention. Any remedial work can be carried by a registered electrical contractor.

You can find out about the scheme through the “quick link” on the front page of this website.

In the same area, you can also find out about the $50 rebate available to Seniors Card holders who book and pay for an inspection.

Fire Safety

Fire blankets and extinguishers can be used to put out small fires but you should always call 000 in the case of an emergency.

If the fire is small, use a fire blanket or extinguisher to smother it
If cooking oil catches fire, put the lid on the pan or use a fire blanket to smother the fire, then turn off the burner. Do not attempt to carry the pan outside
Never throw water on burning oil as it will spread the fire and can splash back causing burns
Never throw water on an electrical fire as you could be electrocuted
Turn off or unplug electrical appliances if they catch on fire - as soon as it is safe to do so
In house fires remember to crawl low to the floor and toward the nearest exit. If you need to smash a window to get out, protect your hand with a doona or blanket
If your clothing catches on fire "Stop, Drop and Roll". Keep rolling until all flames are extinguished
Ensure that your garden hoses reach all areas of your home and yard in the event of a fire
Plan and practice a home escape plan to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.

Trees Contacting Powerlines

Trees contacting powerlines can pose a real threat to people and become an emergency unless extreme care is taken – particularly when cleaning up fallen trees near powerlines following storms or other circumstances.

In extreme situations people could be electrocuted or very seriously injured if they touched a tree branch that was in contact with a power line.

It is important to realise that if power lines fall to the ground because of storms or any other circumstances they will continue to be live until properly dealt with by the local electricity company.

People must stay away from fallen power lines.

Energy Safe Victoria advises that the following safety precautions must be followed when power lines fall to the ground:

Treat fallen power lines as energised and therefore dangerous;
Immediately notify the local distribution company of broken or damaged power lines.
The distribution company phone number to contact for faults and emergencies is contained on electricity bills;
On roads and public places, the police should also be alerted;
Stay clear of all fallen tree limbs and power lines, as well as anything they are touching such as water puddles, vehicles, metal fences and other objects that can conduct electricity;
Keep other people away from fallen power lines;
Be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard;
Watch for dangling power lines.