The Guide to Safe and Proper Use of Electricity

Did you know that according to the report from family doctors in the country, about 3% of fatal accidents caused at home are due to electrocution? Surprisingly, mainly it is not small children but rather people between the ages of 18-65, although in several cases children and toddlers have also been affected.

We want to bring to your attention some facts you may not have known. Why is it important to remember them? Because the next time you use electricity, with a bit of awareness, you'll know it's in your power to prevent disasters like those that occurred last year.

Danger – Heater on Your Sheets!

We all fall into this trap, especially on freezing cold days – placing the heater on the bed, close to us. It's now cozy, but this coziness can be lethal. Since the sheets are made of flammable material, and the heater that disperses heat can easily 'absorb' flammable things. So, as long as you are next to it and supervising, there's no problem. But beware: if you get up even for a second, turn off the heater.

Match the Socket to the Device

How many of you know it's important to match the ampere level to the devices we use? What does this mean? All the sockets in our house are divided into two supply levels – some supply 16 amperes and some only 10. What's the difference? 16 amperes are usually supplied to large electrical devices like washing machines, ovens, refrigerators, and so forth. Whereas 10 amperes are tailored for smaller electrical devices. Using 16 amperes for small devices and vice versa is a serious issue and can cause electrocution.

Avoid Using Many Devices on the Same Socket

Power outages are common, caused by overloading the sockets at home. Try not to overburden one socket, and if large devices are involved (which consume a lot of electricity) like washing machines, air conditioners, and refrigerators – it is recommended to dedicate a socket to each. The same applies to extension cords and power strips – avoid overloading them.

Rules for Disconnecting a Device from a Socket

First and foremost, never – but never, disconnect electrical devices from the socket with wet hands. Why, you ask? The simple answer: having wet hands or other parts of the body decreases our body's natural resistance (for those who don't know, our body produces electrical currents all the time) to the electric current, thereby increasing the chance of electrocution. Similarly, it's important to disconnect electrical devices while wearing shoes – never unplug the device with bare feet.

The method of disconnecting the cable should be gentle, holding one hand on the socket cover while the other hand carefully pulls the plug. Do not yank the cable out of the socket harshly.

Ensure the Sockets are Functional

On the surface, this sounds trivial. After all, if the socket wasn't functional – we wouldn't use it. Nevertheless, before using sockets, it is important to ensure both the plug and the socket are completely functional. Additionally, it’s important to act responsibly and install switch covers in various places around the house, aimed at preventing unnecessary accidents and keeping children away from any danger.

Have a Pleasant and Safe Winter!