Appliance safety in the home

For Consumers

Gas and electricity in the home

Electricity

Use and maintain electrical appliances safely around your home:

Electric blankets should be checked at the start of each winter for damaged wires, plugs, leads and hot spots. If the electric blanket is damaged you should get replace it immediately
Electric blankets should be laid flat and secured tightly on the bed so that the blanket can’t crease.
Remember to turn off your electric blanket at the power point when you get into bed
Never use a faulty electrical appliance, or one that has a frayed cord, cracked or broken plug, or any appliance that has given someone any kind of shock
To avoid a shock, switch off power points before plugging and unplugging appliances
Remove appliances from the power point by holding the plug, not by pulling the cord
Have appliances serviced in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions
When buying second-hand appliances ensure that they have been tested by a licensed electrician or gas fitter and have been certified as safe
Never leave your home with appliances such as heaters, ovens and stove-tops operating
Do not place fan heaters, televisions and electrical equipment in areas with restricted airflow as overheating may occur
Keep all combustible material (eg. clothes, bed linen, curtains and tea towels) away from stove-tops, heaters and lamps as heat build-up can cause fires
Clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer after each use and ensure the load goes through a full cycle to allow the dryer to cool down
Ensure you have the correct bulb size and rating (in watts) fitted in lamps according to manufacturers’ specifications
Remove any build-up of materials around the electric motor of exhaust fans (eg. fluff, dust, lint, etc)
Regularly clean range hood filters
Clean ovens and hot plates regularly to prevent the build-up of spilled fats and burnt foods
Install a ventilation system, flue or exhaust fan in the kitchen to remove fumes while cooking
Switch off and unplug your toaster before trying to remove toast, muffins or crumpets that are caught in the toaster
Remove breadcrumbs from the toaster regularly as a build up can be hazardous
Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the room take something with you as a reminder that you are cooking (eg. a wooden spoon)

Around the house

Portable generator sets can be just as dangerous as mains supply if misused. Before connecting to house supply, check with your electricity supply authority.
Use only approved hand-lamps, which are fitted with guards to protect the lamp. Home made hand-lamps have caused many fatalities.
Use electric arc welders with care – human contact between the electrode and the work can be fatal. Strictly observe established safety precautions.
All outdoor electrical appliances must conform to safety standards, ie. be double insulated

Electricity and children

Teach children that electrical appliances, cords, switches and outlets are not toys. Safety shuttered outlets as well as plastic covers for ordinary type outlets are available. Electric blankets are not recommended for use by babies or young children, who may wet the bed.

If the power fails

Switch off all heating appliances if the power fails – fires have been caused when the power returns unexpectedly. Combustible material must be kept well clear of all heating appliances.

If you receive a shock

Any tingle or slight shock from an electrical appliance should be regarded as a warning. Advise your electricity authority or a registered electrical contractor immediately. Always disconnect the appliance from the power source before touching the appliance, and label it clearly to prevent anyone else from using it until it has been repaired and tested or replace it completely.

Buy local

Some electrical articles purchased overseas may not operate satisfactorily under Australian conditions and may not comply with our safety standards – such articles could be hazardous if used without modification. If you purchase electrical articles from overseas, have them checked first before you use them. Make sure they carry a compliance mark issued in Australia.

Professional help

Even if you consider yourself to be handy around the home, DO NOT attempt electrical work of any kind. ALWAYS get it done by a registered electrical contractor - knowledge and experience of that person is your best protection.

Emergency procedures – helping others and protecting yourself

If someone receives an electric shock, the person is electrified until released. Take precautions to prevent receiving a shock yourself by immediately switching off the electricity where practical. The person must be pulled or pushed clear of hazard using dry non-conducting material such as wood, rope, clothing, rubber or plastic. DO NOT use metal or anything moist. Where necessary, prevent the person from sustaining further injury by falling. Send for an ambulance or a doctor immediately. The first 3 minutes are vital – act immediately to assess their level of consciousness and then, if person is not breathing, commence resuscitation.