3 ELECTRICAL TIPS FOR FAMILIES

As a parent, it is your task to inform your kids about the dangers of playing with electricity. We all know that unless we warn children, their own curiosity might kill them. When it comes to potentially fatal household devices, it is best to tell your kids what to do, and what to avoid.

Here are the top three things you must always know about electricity around the house:

OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOR KIDS

Most especially when you allow your children to play around the neighborhood, always remind them of these things, and MAKE SURE they remember them and do them.

Never mess with and around power lines. Power lines are everywhere – around your neighbourhood, the school grounds, the playground. Do not attempt to touch any of them to avoid electrocution.

If they see fallen power lines, avoid them, and tell Mommy, a teacher or a Guard at about the broken power line – so that they can contact the  local power supplier.

Avoid going up or playing around trees with branches entwined between power lines.

Stay away from substations and power transformers. Nope, these are not the “Transformers” you should be playing with. These transformers carry millions of voltage to thousands of houses and buildings.

Electricity and water do not mix, and is probably the most dangerous combination. Never swim when there is a lighting storm. Never touch anything electrical with wet hands, or when your feet are wet or soaked in water.

INDOOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDSYour kids are you’re your responsibility the most when they are with you around the house. The problem is, you cannot see everything they’re doing. Keep a close watch and warn them of the potential dangers.

Teach them to respect power cords. Do not play with them, do not bite into them, do not use them to as a leash for your family dog. Not only will they get electrocuted if they do so, they may also set the house on fire with their carelessness if they do not follow house rules regarding electrical cords.

Never carry small appliances by their power cords.

Always ask Mommy or Daddy to plug or unplug any of their electrical gadgets.

Always tell an adult if they notice bent, frayed, sparkling or hissing power cords.

Never stick fingers into any heating device , electrical socket, electric fan or cooking apparatus.

Again, never touch electrical devices with wet hands or feet.

Call your local emergency number in case something bad happens, or when your house (or just part of it) catches fire because of electrical appliances. Don’t attempt to put out an electrically-caused fire with water. Call your Mum and Dad!

FIRE AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

Most families take electricity for granted. There are thousands of fires per year that could have been avoided if only proper precautions were taken.

ELECTRICAL

Keep liquids away from electrical items such as televisions, video games and computers. They may spill and cause electrical shock.

Never play with electrical cords or outlets.

Have any broken electrical cord repaired.

Do not fly kites near power lines – even within your backyard or lawn.

Do not stand beside or near trees when there is a lightning sorm.

If you drop a plugged appliance in water, never attempt to fish with out. Have an adult shut off the power supply before you retrieve it.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Install smoke alarms in every room.

Always make sure you have two ways out of any room (fire exit).

Formulate a family escape plan in case of fire.

Silly as it may sound, hold a family fire drill twice a year – and take it seriously. Remember that 

when the house is already on fire, the element of fear and panic enter the picture. It would be fatal to be both fearful and panicky, and also be clueless and ignorant of what to do.

Always remember, it is easy to replace lost property or material things, but you can never take back a life once it is gone.